MARAWI CITY -- The Joint Task Group Haribon belonging to the 103rd Infantry Brigade successfully overran the fort or stronghold of combined forces of Dawlah Islamiyah (DI)-Maute Group under Abu Zacharia and DI-Hassan Group Maguindanao in the hinterland areas of Barangay Ilalag, Maguing town Lanao Del Sur, on Tuesday, March 1.
JTG Haribon and 103rd Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Jose Maria R Cuerpo II led and supervised the intense two-day firefight between the terrorists group that resulted in the death of its eight members including two identified sub-leaders namely Abu Dimam and Abu Jihad.
Recovered from the terrorists were three 50 Caliber machine gun with tripod, one 30 Caliber Machine Gun with tripod, two M60 GPMG; twelve 5.56mm M16 Rifle (2 damage), one M653 rifle, one M4, one 20-inch AR-15 Rifle, five 7.62mm M14 rifle, one 7.62mm M4 Rifle, six RPGs, two M203 GL, six Improvised 50 Caliber Sniper Rifles (2 with tripod), one garand, one Bar, one .22 AK47 cal.22 and one shotgun; and other war materials; assorted ammunition for 40mm GL, 50 cal, 5.56mm, 7.62mm, RPG, and cal cal. 40 pistol, assorted magazines for different rifles, several APMs/IEDs, numerous IEDs component, two (2) barrel of M60 GPMG, several propelled grenades, improvised rockets, two (2) ISIS flags, one Laptop, one radio baofeng, one cellphone, Improvised Explosive Mixer, and subversive documents with high intelligence value.
The operating troops also seized five kilos of suspected shabu with an estimated value of P50 million, the military said.
"I commend the JTG Haribon composed of its OPCON units namely: the 5th Infantry Duty - Bound Battalion led by Lieutenant Colonel Romulus B Rabara INF (GSC) PA as the over - all Ground Commander. 51st Fuerte Uno Battalion under LTC Fernando Payapaya and 55th Infantry "Vigilant" Battalion led by LTC Don L Villanueva and its combat support units; 11DRC, 12 CMO Bn, the 8th Cavalry Company and the Alpha Company of the 1st FAB joint with our Philippine Airforce and PNP counterparts for the successful joint operations," said Cuerpo.
Cuerpo also admitted that the cooperation and information from the civilian populace and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace partners greatly helped in locating the terrorists. "Providing them logistical and informational support eventually led government soldiers to the enemy encampment that subsequently led to this victory,” he added.
“I am again urging these violent extremists to let go of their violent ideology, to concede now and go back to the folds of the law and enjoy a new start in peace or else they will have to pay the great price of violent extremism,” Cuerpo said.
The JTG HARIBON also acknowledged the active participation of the MILF Peace Mechanism in Lanao province that played a significant role in isolating the civilians and MILF community from the series of clashes.
The peace mechanism team, led by Mr. Ayobhan Usman, chairman of MILF AHJAG; Ameruding Usman, chairman of MILF CCCH; and Mr. Moner Ampaso, chairman of MILF Local Monitoring Team, personally talked to a survivor and subsequently validated the presence of young fighters in the engagement area who allegedly named themselves as “Dawlah.”
JTF Zampelan and 1st Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Generoso Ponio commended the troops for the feat. “We dedicate this success to our brother-in-arm, Private Clint Rey Armada, who paid the ultimate sacrifice during the encounter last Tuesday,” said Ponio.
Western Mindanao Commander Lt. Gen. Alfredo V. Rosario Jr. also commended the troops:“I truly commend and salute the diligence and commitment of our troops who are at the frontline risking their lives to prevent the terrorist from sowing terror."
The 103rd Haribon Brigade will sustain its aggressive stance against all forms of threat, violence, and wrong ideologies to protect the Meranao and achieve lasting peace and development in the whole province of Lanao del Sur.