CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) admitted there was a slight "miscalculation" on the part of their operating team during the encounter against the Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute Group in Barangay Ramain, Munai, Lanao del Norte on Sunday, February 18, where six soldiers were killed.
Three fighters from the DI-MG were also killed.
READ: https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/19/afp-pursuit-of-dawlah-islamiyah-ends-in-bloodbath-8-dead-4-hurt
AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. found out that there were techniques, tactics, and procedures that were not followed when he had a conversation with the commander of the 44th Infantry Battalion (IB), the operating unit where the slain soldiers were assigned.
AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. answers questions from the media during his visit to the Army 4th Infantry Division headquarters in Cagayan de Oro City on February 21. (Franck Dick Rosete)
The AFP chief would not elaborate when asked what these specific lapses were.
“We reminded our troops, our commanders, battalion commanders, our company commanders, and platoon leaders to always observe the right techniques, tactics, and procedures,” Brawner said during his visit to the 4th Infantry Division headquarters in this city on Wednesday, February 21.
The 44th IB and 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion clashed with the Islamic State-linked terrorist group believed to be behind the attack at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City last December in which four individuals were killed and injured at least 40 others.
Brawner recounted that the terrorist group almost vanished during the Marawi siege in 2017 and 45 members were left after the five-month-long battle. Their number was further reduced as the Army continued operations against them.
The DI-MG now has about 20 fighters, he added.
SOLDIERS from the 4th Infantry Division gather at Montalvan Hall for the visit of AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. in Cagayan de Oro City on February 21. (Franck Dick Rosete)
Brawner visited on Tuesday, February 20, the wake of the six slain soldiers at the headquarters of the 1st Infantry Division in Camp Major Cesar Sang-an in Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur and condoled with their bereaved families and personally handed over cash assistance.
READ: https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/21/brawner-pays-tribute-to-6-soldiers-slain-in-clash-with-di-maute-group
The AFP chief cited miscalculation as the possible cause of six fatalities during the encounter
He explained how they tend to miscalculate the movements of the enemy due to the unpredictability of the armed engagement.
“Because you know it’s hard in war. You cannot predict everything because the enemy is moving and they also have firearms,” Brawner said, stressing that they can confidently address the lapses in order to prevent a repeat of the incident.
AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. visits the four wounded soldiers who were part of the operating team against the DI-MG at the Camp Evangelista Station Hospital inside the 4th Infantry Division in Cagayan de Oro City on February 21. (Photo courtesy of 4ID)
In a short program at 4th ID headquarters, Brawner urged soldiers to keep their morale high in spite of what happened in Lanao del Norte and called on them to let the incident serve as their inspiration to fight and serve harder.
He also visited and awarded medals to the four wounded soldiers admitted to the 4th ID-run Camp Evangelista Station Hospital in this city for their bravery as part of the operating team.
Several soldiers from various units of the 4th ID were awarded medals for their contributions to the division’s accomplishments.