TERROR PLOT AVERTED. Troops recover some 45 firearms and improvised bombs after capturing a Dawlah Islamiya-Maute Group lair in Lanao del Sur on Tuesday. The Western Mindanao Command on Thursday (March 3, 2022) said a possible terror plot of the Islamic State for Iraq and Syria (ISIS)-inspired group has been averted after the lair was seized. (Photo courtesy of Westmincom)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Military officials said Thursday a possible terror plot has been averted with the fall of the Dawlah Islamiya - Maute Group (DI-MG) lair in Lanao del Sur.
Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario Jr., Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, said the troops have recovered a total of 22 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and several anti-personnel mines that could be used in launching terror attacks.
“Our troops averted and countered possible desperate attacks employed by the DI to inflict casualties not only to government troopers but even the innocent civilians,” Rosario said.
He said the troops have recovered the remains of seven Islamic State for Iraq and Syria (ISIS)-inspired DI-MG members while scouring the vicinity of the fallen lair in Barangay Ilalag, Maguing, Lanao del Sur.
Also recovered were a total of 45 assorted high-powered firearms that included three .50-caliber machineguns, two M60 machineguns, a .30 caliber machinegun, six rocket-propelled grenade launchers, six improvised sniper rifles, five kilos of shabu, bomb-making components, improvised explosive mixer, a computer, mobile phones, hand-held radio, ISIS flag, and propaganda materials.
The lair of the DI-MG led by Faharudin Hadji Satar alias Abu Zacariah fell into the hands of the government troops following hours of firefight Tuesday that was preceded by an airstrike at dawn. The lair can accommodate 100 persons.
Abu Zacariah is the new emir of ISIS in Southeast Asia. He replaced Owayda Benito Marohombsar alias Abu Dar, who was killed together with three other DI-MG terrorists in a clash with government troops in March 2019.
Brig. Gen. Jose Maria Cuerpo II, Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade commander, said Zacariah is planning to create havoc during the observance of Ramadan and the upcoming national and local elections.
Cuerpo said the group of Zacariah, who joined forces with the DI-Hassan group from Maguindanao, has launched several bomb attacks in cellular sites in Lanao del Sur in the latter part of 2021 and early this year. (PNA)
