TWO members of the terrorist group Daulah Islamiyah were killed in a firefight with soldiers and policemen in Polomolok town in South Cotabato on Sunday, the military reported yesterday.
The Army’s 6th Infantry Division based in Maguindanao identified one of the fatalities as Emilton Abedin Ampatuan. The other one has yet to be identified.
Troops from the Army’s 5th Special Forces Battalion, augmented by Polomok policemen, swooped down at the suspects’ lair in Purok 5, Barangay Rubber early morning Sunday.
They conducted the joint law enforcement operation by virtue of a search warrant for illegal possession of firearms. The suspects reportedly opened fire at the raiding team, leading to a firefight.
The suspects were initially wounded and brought to the Polomolok Municipal Hospital but were declared dead on arrival.
Recovered at the scene were a Thompson sub-machine gun, a caliber .38 pistol, and a rifle grenade.
6th ID commander Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, also the commander of the military’s Joint Task Force Central, commended the troops involved in the successful operation.
