Troops raid terror camps in South

PAGADIAN CITY – Government forces raided hideouts of the pro-ISIS group Dawlah Islamiya in southern Philippines where the operations against the terrorists continue, officials said Monday.

Philippine Army photos show some of the seized weapons from the pro-ISIS group Dawlah Islamiya in Lanao del Sur’s Balindong town.

Brig. Gen. Yegor Rey Barroquillo Jr., commander of the 103rd Infantry Brigade, said the weekend raid destroyed three hideouts of the Dawlah Islamiya in the town of Balindong in the Muslim province of Lanao del Sur.

 

Barroquillo said the assaults were mounted following intelligence provided by villagers. He said although the terrorists managed to escape the simultaneous raids, troops recovered weapons and ammunition they left behind.

 

“Despite the group’s escape, the operation yielded a haul of weaponry and equipment left behind, including high-caliber rifles, ammunition, communication devices, and personal effects,” Barroquillo said, praising  the troops for their professionalism and dedication, emphasizing the disruption inflicted upon the Dawlah Islamiya’s capabilities to sow terror.

 

The recovery of these assets marks a significant blow to the group’s operations, further bolstering counterterrorism efforts in the region, according to Barroquillo.

 

Maj. Gen. Gabriel Viray III, commander of the 1st Infantry Division, commended the swift and coordinated efforts of the units involved, underscoring their vital role in maintaining peace and security in the area.

 

“The 103rd Infantry Brigade has been at the forefront of the government’s effort to address the security and stop the insurgency in the area. I commend the quick response of the different units on the ground for the successful conduct of operations to ensure the safety and security of our area of responsibility,” he said.

 

The Dawlah Islamiya has been blamed for the December bombing of a Catholic mass inside the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, the capital of Lanao del Sur; and attacks on civilian targets in the restive region. (Mindanao Examiner)