Mindanao Armed Conflict

NORTH COTABATO --- A soldier was killed Thursday in a gunfight near the Liguasan Delta with religious extremists fabricating improvised explosive devices.

Sgt. Ahmad Mahmood succumbed to a bullet wound in the head sustained in an encounter with members of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in Barangay Dasawao in Shariff Saidona Mustapha, Maguindanao.

Mahmood was among the Army personnel from different units of the 6^thInfantry Division searching since Thursday for BIFF gunmen implicated in recent bombings in the Central Mindanao.

MARAWI CITY - Escorted by soldiers, 700 displaced families revisited their homes in Marawi affected areas on June 20.

“Soldiers provided support, manpower, and security assistance to displaced families who were allowed to enter affected areas and inspect their homes in Barangays Tulali and Daguduban,” said Brig. Gen. Romeo Brawner, Jr., 103^rd Infantry Brigade Commander.

Through Kambisita 3, displaced persons may be allowed to return upon inspection and clearance by Task Force Bangon Marawi.

NORTH COTABATO --- Thousands of irate residents in President Roxas town together burned a flag of the New People’s Army whose activities they detest for being ruthless and anti-poor.

The popular Catholic station dxND in Kidapawam City reported Tuesday that thousands witnessed the burning of the NPA flag in a gymnasium in North Cotabato’s hinterland President Roxas town.

A number of innocent villagers have either been killed or injured in NPA roadside bomb attacks in President Roxas and in nearby Magpet and Arakan towns in recent months.

ZAMBOANGA CITY - “The New People’s Army has promised us a peaceful life and protection from abusive soldiers; however, it was the other way around. They were abusive,” said alias Carol, one of the four communist terrorists who surrendered to military troops in Zamboanga Sibugay on July 10.

Carol and three other rebels yielded to soldiers of 44th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Balagon, Siay at 4pm on Wednesday.

“They were no longer satisfied by the promises and lies of the NPA in their community,” said Lt. Col. Don Templonuevo, 44th Infantry Battalion Commander.

COTABATO CITY -- Former Abu Sayyaf leader Moton Indama finished Thursday a government accelerated study program in exchange for his surrender in 2018.

He returned to the fold of law last year through the joint intercession of the Western Mindanao Command and Basilan Gov. Jim Salliman.

The graduation rite was held at the gymnasium of the Basilan State College in Isabela City.

NORTH COTABATO --- A son of a former governor and four companions were killed in an alleged shootout Friday night with soldiers in a roadside checkpoint in Pikit town in this province.

Major Arvin Encinas, spokesman of the Western Mindanao Command, said Saturday soldiers in a checkpoint along a highway in Barangay Inug-ug in Pikit, North Cotabato were forced to neutralize the five men on a Nissan Patrol bearing license plates LEM 521 when they opened fire while its driver was being directed to stop for inspection.

MAGUINDANAO --- Malacañang wants the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu crushed before December 31 this year, the new commander of the Western Mindanao Command said Monday.

“That is what President Duterte wants,” Major Gen. Cirilito Sobejana said during Monday’s assumption here of Major Gen. Diosdado Carreon as new commander of the Army’s 6^th Infantry Division.

Carreon replaced Sobejana who took over last Friday the leadership of the WestMinCom from the retiring Lt. Gen. Arnel Dela Vega.

Carreon and Sobejana both graduated from the Philippine Military Academy in 1987.

COTABATO CITY (July 1) – “They started it, we will finish it.”

With these words, the visibly angry newly installed chief, Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, vowed to get back at the terrorist group and let them pay the lawlessness they had just done to nine of his subordinates.

Sobejana vowed to give justice to his fallen soldiers and to let the perpetrators of the twin bomb attacks in an Army base in Indanan, Sulu suffer the same fate.

I am personally outraged by the supposed suicide bombing incident in Indanan,Sulu last June 28. Police report disclosed that at about 12:10 pm of that day, thetactical command post in Manpower, Indanan, Sulu was attacked by two alleged suicide bombers.

It was a senseless act of terror since the attack inflicted multiple casualties andinjuries to innocent civilians. We condemn that act as contrary to cherishedhuman values such as the sanctity and protection of lives, properties andpeaceful living.

ZAMBOANGA CITY - A day after the explosion that transpired at headquarters of 1st Brigade Combat Team in Tanjung, Indanan, Sulu, AFP top officials led by the Chief of Staff General Benjamin Madrigal and the new WestMinCom chief Major General Cirilito Sobejana extended financial and moral support to the wounded victims and bereaved families of those killed, during their visit earlier yesterday (June 29).