WESTERN Mindanao Command (Westmincom) soldiers are mourning the loss of six members of the 44th Infantry Battalion in a continuing clash in Ramain village, Munai town, Lanao del Norte.
An armed confrontation ensued between operating troops of the 103rd Infantry Brigade and the Daulah Islamiyah-Maute group (DI-MG) in Munai, Lanao del Norte, on February 18, 2024.
Following the successful operations against the members of the DI-MG who perpetrated the bombing at the Mindanao State University last year, the government forces remain steadfast in clearing the Lanao provinces of traces of the terror group.
In a continuing offensive conducted on February 18, troops of the 44th Infantry Battalion encountered more or less 15 members of the said group under alias Mas’Od in Barangay Ramain, Munai.
Reinforcements were immediately deployed to establish blockades in possible enemy withdrawal routes. While moving to reinforce the engaged troops, soldiers from the 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion encountered more or less five enemies a few meters away from the first encounter site.
Based on reports from sources, two members of the DI-MG were killed in the series of encounters, while several others were wounded.
On the other hand, six government troops were killed, and four others were wounded in the firefight. Responding teams were immediately deployed to extricate the casualties in the area.
While reinforcing troops were conducting clearing operations, two high powered firearms recovered (one M16 rifle and one M14 rifle) and one enemy killed.
It can be recalled that in a series of armed encounters with government forces in Piagapo, Lanao del Sur on January 25-26, nine confirmed members of the Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute Group were neutralized. Of the nine DI MG terrorists killed, three were directly responsible for the heinous MSU terrorist bombing last December 2023. Ground troops confirmed that among those neutralized was Khadafi Mimbesa, also known as “Engineer,” the mastermind of the MSU bomb attack.
As of this report, 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.
“We believe that a number of DI members were wounded and probably could have died due to loss of blood after the series of encounters since they have nowhere to go due to the blockades established by our troops,” Lt. Gen. William Gonzales, Commander of Western Mindanao Command, said.
“While we mourn the loss of six brave soldiers who paid their ultimate sacrifice during the operations, we pray for the eternal repose of their souls and strength for their families during this time of grief. We also pray for the speedy recovery of our wounded soldiers who are currently undergoing medical treatment,” Lt. Gen. Gonzales added.
“Rest assured that we will sustain our security operations to prevent the reemergence of the terror groups in our operational area,” the WestMinCom Commander concluded.
