GOVERNMENT troops are on alert for possible retaliatory attacks in Marawi City in Lanao del Sur and nearby areas following last Thursday’s killing of nine members of the terrorist Daulah Islamiyah (DI) in Piagapo town, also in Lanao del Sur.
“That is one of the angles we are looking into and it is also possible,” Maj. Gen. Gabriel Viray III, commander of the Zamboanga del Sur-based Army’s 1st Infantry Division, said in a phone interview.
Viray said troops in the areas have been already alerted against retaliatory attacks, which he said may include bombing and liquidations.
“We have alerted our troops to be vigilant for possible retaliatory attacks, not only bombings but also liquidations, just in case,” said Viray, adding troops in the areas are on “heightened alert.
“It’s an SOP (standard operating procedure) on our part. It’s better to be vigilant than not…We alerted our troops to be vigilant and prepare for any possible retaliatory attacks just in case,” he said.
Last Saturday, the military reported the killing of nine DI members in a clash with troops from the Army’s 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion in Piagapo town last Thursday. Nine high-powered firearms were also seized by the troops.
Two of the slain DI members, identified as Saumay Saiden and Abdul Hadi, were said to be involved in the December 3 bombing at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City that left four people dead and 50 others injured.
Military officials have said the bombing was in retaliation to the series of losses suffered by the terrorist group at the hands of the military days earlier.
Viray said government troops, as of yesterday afternoon, were continuing with the pursuit operations against the remnants of the group they encountered last Thursday.
“As of the moment they are in disarray and on the run. But we cannot discount the possibility of retaliatory attacks against our troops through liquidation and other terror actions. As to bombings, they are very remote as of the moment,” said Viray.
