An alleged Dawlah Islamiyah (DI)-Maute Group fighter was killed after the Philippine Army (PA) repelled an attack of the Islamic State (IS)-linked group on one of its bases in Maguing, Lanao del Sur, the military reported on New Year's Eve, Sunday, Dec. 31.
Colonel Don Villanueva, commanding officer of the 55th Infantry Battalion (55IB), said around five armed men believed to be members of the DI-Maute Group attacked the base of their Bravo Company at Sitio Manukan in Brgy. Dilimbayan around 3 a.m. on Dec. 28.
The 55IB is under the jurisdiction of the 103rd Infantry Brigade, and both of them are supervised by the Army's 1st Infantry Division (1ID).
However, Villanueva said an alert on-duty soldier fended off the attack and engaged the armed men in a firefight which lasted for five minutes.
"The enemy withdrew, leaving behind a dead terrorist," Villanueva said. The military has yet to identify the slain suspect.
Responding troops also recovered an M16 rifle with seven magazines and 116 live ammunition on the battle site.
"Security knows no holiday. We must always be ready to defend our people," Villanueva noted.
Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, PA commanding general, lauded the vigilance and readiness of the 55IB which enabled them to foil enemy attacks amid the holiday season.
Meanwhile, Brigadier General Yegor Rey Barroquillo Jr., commander of the 103rd Infantry (Haribon) Brigade, called on the remaining members of the Dawlah Islamiya Group to abandon their arms.
He assured the public that the Haribon Brigade will continue to be the guardians of peace in Lanao del Sur.
The body of the slain suspect was turned over the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) for proper disposition.