THE Armed Forces yesterday warned members of the Daulah Islamiyah (DI), the terrorist group behind last Sunday’s ambush-slaying of four Army soldiers, to surrender before they end up getting neutralized.
In a television interview, AFP spokeswoman Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said the military is on schedule in terms of ending the group, which is blamed for numerous atrocities in Mindanao.
“We are enjoining those who are still with the group to surrender and return to the folds of the law before they suffer what happened to their comrades whom we neutralized,” said Padilla.
At least 10 DI members ambushed the soldiers in Datu Hoffer town in Maguindanao del Sur last Sunday in the middle of the celebration of Ramadan, the Muslims’ religious month.
Four soldiers, who bought supplies from the market, died in the attack, the second major setback the military suffered from the group since last month.
Last February 18, six soldiers died and four others died after a firefight with DI members in Munai town in Lanao del Norte. Two DI members also died in the encounter.
As of yesterday, Padilla said government troops are continuing with their pursuit operations against the perpetrators behind last Sunday’s ambush.
Padilla said the group launched last Sunday’s attack in retaliation to the losses they have suffered at the hands of the military since last year.
She said the group has lost support from the community because of the continuing relentless operation against the group.
Padilla said the group is dwindling in membership and is having difficulty in recruiting new members while experiencing a leadership vacuum.
Last February 12, the military announced the death of DI amir Khadafi Mimbesa who it said died from the wounds he sustained in a series of encounters with soldiers last January 25 and 26 in Piagapo town in Lanao del Sur. Nine DI members were initially reported killed in the clashes.
“In terms of our operations, we are making sure that they are being encircled in the area where they are (situated),” said Padilla.
Padilla said the group is operating in small groups but is trying to regroup.
Padilla said the military is aiming to defeat the group and other threat groups throughout the country before the end of this year.
“We are well within target in terms of neutralizing our targets… So hopefully, by the end of the year, we can neutralize all their members,” said Padilla.
“They are scattered, they are dwindling in numbers and they cannot recruit new members,” said Padilla without saying the current strength of the group. “So the Armed Forces won’t stop, we will continue our operations until we get all their members,” said Padilla.