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COTABATO CITY (MindaNews / 2 December) – Eleven persons believed to be members of the Dawlah Islamiyah were found dead the morning after a military operation in Mother Tuayan, Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur.
The military assault began around 12:15 dawn on Friday, and the 11 bodies were seen lying dead on the ground following a clearing operation on Saturday, the 6th Infantry “Kampilan” Division reported.
BGen Oriel Pangcog, 601st Infantry Brigade Commander, said the community provided information about the group’s presence.
An operation using air assets was then launched targeting the exact location of the armed group, Pangcog said.
“Our operating troops recovered 10 high-powered firearms in the area, including two M14 rifles, seven M16 rifles, one RPG, and three explosives,” he added.
MGen Alex Rillera, commander of the 6th Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Central, said the group’s presence possibly meant they were planning to disrupt the peace in Datu Hoffer Ampatuan as well as other areas in the region.
He said the cooperation of the public and stakeholders foiled such a plan. (Ferdinandh B. Cabrera/MindaNews)
