The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday said its forces remain committed to neutralizing all remaining members of the Dawlah Islamiya-Maute Group (DI-MG), tagged as the perpetrators in the Mindanao State University bombing last December 3, despite the deaths of six troopers and wounding of four other during pursuit operations against the terrorists in Lanao Del Norte on Sunday, February 18.
“The AFP remains relentless in its pursuit operations against members of the DI-MG that perpetrated the bombing at Mindanao State University last year,” AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said in a statement.
He added that operations against the terrorist group have been successful so far and have resulted in the neutralization of 18 DI-MG members, including so-called “Engineer,” who masterminded the attack on innocent civilians.
In continuation of this effort, Brawner said another operation was launched last February 18 resulting in two more dead among the enemy and several others wounded based on intelligence information.
This took place at Barangay Ramain, Munai, Lanao Del Norte and involved troopers from the 44th Infantry Battalion and 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion.
“However, six of our valiant soldiers paid the ultimate sacrifice while another four were wounded. The wounded were already evacuated to Camp Evangelista Station Hospital,” the AFP chief said.
Brawner said he extended his condolences to the families of the slain soldiers and offered the AFP’s support during this difficult time.
He also assured the families of the wounded troops that their loved ones will receive the best treatment possible for their wounds.
“As the CSAFP [Chief-of-Staff AFP] I assure their families and every Filipino that justice will be meted and all efforts will be exhausted in pursuit of the enemy. Our troops are motivated to finish the job and accomplish our mission of defeating local terrorist groups once and for all,” Brawner stressed.