TEN members of two terrorist groups and two soldiers were killed and 13 other soldiers were injured in fierce gun battle in Datu Salibo town in Maguindanao on Wednesday, the military reported on Thursday.
The fighting broke out at around 5:30 a.m. at the lair of the Daulah Islamiyah (DI) in Barangay Penditen, said Lt. Col. Dingdong Atilano, spokesman of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division based in the province.
Atilano said there were 20 DI members, under Hassan Indal, at the initial stage of the firefight.
“Our troops got near them, about meters. Our troops were the first to fire, killing four of the enemies,” said Atilano.
Atilano said members the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters under Imam Mininbang alias Kagi Karialan, who were nearby, reinforced the DI, increasing the enemy strength to about 50 men.
Atilano said about 10 members of the two groups died and many others were injured as the gunfight progressed until 11 a.m.
He said troops were not able to recover the bodies of the slain terrorists “but our troops saw them.”
The slain soldiers were identified as PFC Raymond Canlog and PFC Jovit Sarno. Atilano said the injuries of the 13 injured soldiers were minor. “They are in stable condition; our 13 are safe,” he said.
