By Marifi S. Jara, Mindanao Bureau Chief
INFORMATION provided by the community and local government officials led to the military’s taking of the remaining camp of the local terror group Maute in a remote part of Sultan Dumalondong, Lanao del Sur.
“We acted on the information as reported by the residents and the local chief executives,” Lt. Col Ian Noel P. Ignes, commanding officer of the 55th Infantry Battalion, said in a statement released Friday by Joint Task Force Ranao.
“The enemy was completely taken by surprise as evident from the direction of their initial gunfire. We met fierce resistance as soon as we hit their final defensive lines,” Mr. Ignes added.
Troops from the 103rd “Haribon” Infantry Brigade seized the stronghold of the Islamic State-allied Maute group led by Benito Owayda Marohombsar, also known as Abu Dar, on Friday following an offensive that started Wednesday evening.
JTF Ranao reported that the troops encountered about 24 members of what the military labels as the Dawlah Islamiyah (DI)-Lanao remnants, formerly called Maute-IS, which was responsible for the five-month siege in Marawi City in 2017.
The group has been hiding in the hinterlands of Lanao del Sur, where they are familiar with the terrain.
“Despite the enemy’s advantage over the terrain, our troops were able to gain ground and managed to penetrate their defensive lines through timely and accurate supporting fire,” said Col. Romeo S. Brawner, Jr., commander of the 103rd Infantry Brigade.
Apart from the camp, the military also found a training ground nearby.
JTF Ranao said initial reports from the ground confirmed that three DI-Lanao terrorists were killed during the assault, with several more critically wounded.
On the government side, three soldiers were “slightly” wounded.
After the Marawi siege, which left central areas of the city in ruins and displaced residents, Mr. Brawner said communities around Lake Lanao have been “awakened” about the repercussions of violent extremism.
“Social conditions on ground shows great despise (sic) to the terrorist remnants. After massive information dissemination, people are now aware on the destruction brought by these violent extremists. Communities now willingly give out information to government troops to rid their communities of terrorists,” Mr. Brawner said.
After the successful operation in Sultan Dumalondong, Mr. Brawner said the pursuit of the DI-Lanaowill continue.
“Despite their losses, we are not discounting the possibility of spoiling attacks in retaliation to our latest exploit. We expect the terrorist group to attack indiscriminately, targeting Muslim and Christian communities alike,” he said.
Sultan Dumalondong is 50 km away from Marawi City, which was attacked by the Maute group in 2017. — with Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

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