Bodies of 6 fallen soldiers in Lanao clash brought to Zamboanga del Sur for vigil

The battle has ended, they are finally home, but the fight is far from over.

The remains of six Philippine Army (PA) soldiers who died during an armed engagement with the Islamic State-linked Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute Group (DI-MG) were brought to the headquarters of the 1st Infantry Division (1ID) at Camp Major Cesar Sang-an in Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur on Tuesday, February 20.

"[The] cadavers of our fallen soldiers are now at Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division for a vigil," said Col. Louie Dema-ala, PA spokesperson.

The soldiers who were killed-in-action (KIA) were members of the 44th Infantry Battalion (44IB) who encountered around 15 to 20 DI-MG extremists in Barangay Ramain, Munai, Lanao del Norte last February 18.

All six were enlisted military personnel: three were corporals, one had the rank private first class, and two were privates.

Three DI-MG fighters also died in the encounter while four soldiers were wounded in action (WIA).

Encounter in Munai

Capt. Jennifer Pili, commander of the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom), on Tuesday gave a detailed narrative of the encounter between the Army troops and the DI-MG under the command of alias "Mas'Od" in Barangay Ramain in the town of Munai.

According to Pili, the 44IB conducted a decisive military operation around 4 p.m. last February 18 against the remaining DI-MG fighters who were suspected of bombing the Mindanao State University (MSU) in December last year. The bomb attack killed four people and injured 72 others, mostly Christian worshippers attending an Advent mass.

The first clash resulted in the death of 2 alleged DI-MG fighters, prompting the enemies to withdraw, so the 44IB called for back up.

"Reinforcements were immediately deployed to establish blockades in possible enemy withdrawal routes," Pili said.

While moving to reinforce the engaged troops, soldiers from the 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion (3SRB) encountered around five enemies a few meters away from the first encounter site. 

The reinforcing troops shot dead another alleged DI-MG fighter and recovered an M16 rifle and an M14 rifle. They recovered the body of the slain fighter.

A series of firefights followed this and when the gunfights were over, it was confirmed that six soldiers were also killed while four other troops were hurt.

"Responding teams were immediately deployed to extricate the casualties in the area," Pili said.

Prior to the Munai encounter, a total of 18 DI-MG fighters have already been neutralized by the troops since January 25, including Khadafi Mimbesa alias "Engineer", the pinpointed mastermind behind the MSU bombing.

Pursuit operations

As of writing, the Army troops were still conducting pursuit operations against the escaped DI-MG fighters. The troops have also been more eager to hunt down the remaining DI-MG fighters following the death of their comrades.

"Government troops are still in pursuit of the said terrorist group while other military units cordoned the area to restrict the movement of the fleeing terrorists. So far, numerous blood stains were discovered near the site of the armed clashes," Pili said.

Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, Army commanding general, assured the families of the fallen soldiers as well as the four WIA troopers that appropriate benefits and assistance will be provided to them.

"The Philippine Army remains relentless in attaining our goal of crushing the remaining DI-MG terrorists. The safety and security of our people are paramount and we will exert all efforts in ensuring that our communities are free from the threat of terrorism," he stated.

"While it is an unfortunate day for us, the ultimate sacrifice made by our soldiers only strengthen our determination to end the local terrorist groups once and for all," he stressed.