The military claimed on Thursday that it had thwarted a possible terror plot in Mindanao by the Islamic State’s (IS) local front Daulah Islamiyah-Maute Group as a result of an operation on Tuesday that resulted in the recovery of homemade bombs, anti-personnel mines and other weaponry.
The operation in Barangay Ilalag, Maguing, Lanao del Sur, against at least 40 terrorists led by Faharudin Hadji Satar alias Abu Zacharia, the reported emir of the IS in Southeast Asia, also resulted in the capture of the group’s camp, which can accommodate at least 100 individuals.
During the operation, three IS members were also killed along with a soldier. However, Brig. Gen. Jose Maria Cuerpo II, commander of the Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade, said the terrorist group’s casualties could be higher.
“Our troops averted and countered possible desperate attacks employed by the Daulah Islamiyah to inflict casualties not only to the Armed Forces but even the innocent civilians,” said Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command commander Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario Jr.
Soldiers captured the camp following air and ground attacks. During the pursuit and clearing operations, they also recovered 22 improvised explosive devices and several anti-personnel mines.
Likewise, at least 45 assorted firearms were recovered, including three cal. 50 machine guns with tripod, a cal. 30 machine gun with tripod, two M60 machine guns, 12 M-16 rifles, an M-653 rifle, an M-4 Carbine, a 20-inch AR-15 rifle, five M-14 rifles, a 7.62mm M4 rifle, six rocket propelled grenade launchers, two M-203 grenade launchers, six improvised .50 caliber sniper rifles, a Garand rifle, a Browning Automatic Rifle, an AK-47 rifle and a shotgun.
Other war materials seized also included assorted ammunition, magazines, homemade bomb components, propelled grenades, improvised rockets, a laptop, radio, cell phone, an improvised explosive mixer, IS flags and propaganda materials.
Aside from the weapons, the soldiers also recovered 5 kilos of shabu.
According to 103rd Infantry Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Jose Maria Cuerpo II, the operation began in January when the terrorists were monitored to have relocated from the west side to the east side of Lake Lanao.
“They perpetrated a number of bomb attacks in cellular sites here in Lanao in the latter part of 2021 and early this year. We received a report that the remaining members of Daulah Islamiyah-Maute Group in Lanao provinces and Daulah Islamiyah-Hassan Group from Maguindanao are reorganizing in the target area hence the conduct of close air support followed by the combat operations,” Cuerpo said.
Cuerpo said the terror group was planning to create havoc during the observance of Ramadan and the upcoming elections.
Image credits: AP/Froilan Gallardo