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Armed group member slain, firearms seized in S. Kudarat

By Noel Punzalan

May 1, 2020, 8:04 pm

<p><strong>NEUTRALIZED.</strong> The body of a fallen member of an armed lawless group following an encounter in remote Barangay Laguilayan, Isulan, Sultan Kudarat on Thursday (April 30, 2020). Government troopers also recovered a cache of firearms, explosives, and ammunition (inset) left behind by other members of the lawless band who fled following a 20-minute firefight with the soldiers. <em>(Photos courtesy of 6ID)</em></p>

NEUTRALIZED. The body of a fallen member of an armed lawless group following an encounter in remote Barangay Laguilayan, Isulan, Sultan Kudarat on Thursday (April 30, 2020). Government troopers also recovered a cache of firearms, explosives, and ammunition (inset) left behind by other members of the lawless band who fled following a 20-minute firefight with the soldiers. (Photos courtesy of 6ID)

COTABATO CITY – Government troopers neutralized a member of an lawless armed group following a firefight in a remote village in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat on Thursday.

Maj. Gen. Diosdado Carreon, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander, said Friday the slain "lawless element", whose identity has yet to be determined, formed part of a five-man group that exchanged fire with troopers of the Army’s 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion (MIB).

He said government troops engaged the lawless group for 20 minutes in Sitio Kamanga, Barangay Laguilayan, Isulan before they scampered in various directions and left behind a dead colleague.

"Our combat operations are currently being intensified to pressure the lawless elements, drive them away from their strongholds, and convince them to yield," said Carreon, the concurrent chief of the military-led Joint Task Force Central.

Soldiers recovered at the encounter an M1 Garand rifle with four clips and 38 rounds of ammunition; two hand grenades, three .45-caliber pistols; four magazines with 26 live ammunition; a backpack; a bandolier; one memory card; and notes with cellphone numbers.

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the military’s Western Mindanao Command, commended the 2MIB troops for a job well done.

"We remain decisive in our campaign to end the unlawful activities of the lawless groups and bring peace and security in Western and Central Mindanao," Sobejana said. (PNA)

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