ARMY troops have so far killed at least 30 Maute Group terrorists, as the operation against the group entered its third day on Monday.
The Army’s First Infantry “Tabak” Division (ID) reported that as of 11:30 a.m. on Monday, its troops, backed by tactical operations units of the Air Forces, were continuing the operation against an estimated 150 Maute Group bandits holed out at the Piagapo Complex in Lanao del Sur.
The operation was launched at midnight on Lanao del Sur starting of April 21.
Brig. Gen. Rolando Joselito Bautista, 1ID commander, said the continuous operations are in accordance with President Duterte’s order to destroy local terrorist groups by July 31.
The Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade, headed by Brig. Gen. Nixon C. Fortes, reported 30 bandits killed during the three days of combat operations, which led to the seizure of the bandits’ main encampment with fortified bunkers, running trenches and other facilities in Sitio Pagalungan, Barangay Gacap, Piagapo, Lanao del Sur, while, the government forces sustained three wounded in action.
At the seized encampment, a cadaver wearing camouflage uniform, war materials, fragmentation and rifle grenades, homemade bomb components (blasting caps, detonating wires, cellular telephones), video camera, assorted uniforms, information on personalities, three motorcycles, food stuff and an Indonesian passport were recovered.
Bautista said the troops used a combination of lethal and nonlethal methods to force the bandits out of their stronghold. Precision air strikes made the bandits break up into smaller groups to minimize casualties.
The resulting recruitment by the Maute Group of teenagers from Barangay Tambo led the locals to report their activities to the military, as well as lead the troop to the bandits’ encampment at the boundary of Balindong and Piagapo towns.
Bautista said the Armed Forces will continue to work hand in hand with the local governments and local communities in the area, since peace and order must be attained in order for development to come to Piagapo and the adjacent towns.