COTABATO CITY (MindaNews / 17 March) – Four soldiers belonging to the 40th Infantry Battalion were killed in an ambush by suspected members of the Dawlah Islamiyah in Barangay Tuayan 1 in Datu Hoffer, Maguindanao del Sur on Sunday.

BGen Oriel Pangcog, commander of the 601st Infantry Brigade, whose area of responsibility covers Maguindanao Del Sur, confirmed the report.

“They were supposed to go back to their base when the ambush was launched,” he said.

The incident happened along the national highway of Tuayan around 9:00 in the morning.

The casualties, whose identities were withheld pending notification of their families, included a corporal and  three privates.

They were onboard a private vehicle after buying office supplies.

“The enemies launched their counter-attacks after our successful operations in the past days,” Pangcog said. 

A military operation was launched following reports about the heavy presence of Dawlah Islamiyah members in nearby Datu Saudi Ampatuan town in Maguindanao del Sur.

Joint government forces are conducting a pursuit o peration against the armed group. (Ferdinandh Cabrera/MindaNews)