Mindanao Armed Conflict

COTABATO CITY  – A member of terrorist group operating in Maguindanao and North Cotabato has voluntarily surrendered Tuesday to authorities with his powerful war material – a 60 mm mortar launcher.

On Wednesday, Lt. Colonel Edgardo Vilchez Jr, commander of the 34^th Infantry Battalion, said “Alias Omar” voluntarily came forward to surrender in Salunayan, Midsayap, North Cotabato.

COTABATO CITY --- One of the two soldiers killed by a companion who went berserk in their headquarters in Tagum City was a Maguindanaon whose family resides here. 

Technical Sgt. Sandatu Tuma of the Army’s 10^th Civil Military Operations Battalion died in a hospital from gunshot wounds sustained in the attack.

He and the other fatality, Major Franklin Embat, were shot with an assault rifle by a companion, Staff Sgt. Arvin Bureros. 

Bureros was reportedly restive and seemed so agitated prior to the incident. 

SHARIFF AGUAK, Maguindanao  - A police team seized an assault rifle and a 40 millimeter grenade launcher from two  gunrunners entrapped here over the weekend, the provincial police director said Wednesday.

Col. Jibin Bongcayao, director of the Maguindanao provincial police, said Wednesday the duo, Adji Mohaimen Akmad Lumamba and Talib Basagan Manindeg, are now detained, to be prosecuted for violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, or Republic Act 10591.

CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City – The Army’s 4th Infantry Division (4ID) ended the reign of terror of Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) leader George Madlos (alias Ka Oris) after he was killed, together with a fellow rebel, in an encounter in a mountainous area in Impasugong, Bukidnon on Saturday.

COTABATO CITY --- Authorities on Saturday allayed fears of possible retaliations by followers of the leader of the Dawlah Islamiya who was killed by soldiers in Talayan, Maguindanao before dawn Friday.

The slain Salahuddin Hassan had followers trained in fabrication and handling of improvised explosive devices.

Major Gen. Juvymax Uy, commander of the Army’s 6^th Infantry Division, said Saturday they have enough covert operatives now observing the areas where Hassan has followers.

MANILA – Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief, Gen. Jose Faustino Jr., on Friday commended operating units of the 6th Infantry Division for the successful operations that led to the death of terrorist leader Salahuddin Hassan.

The cadavers of Hassan and his wife, Jehana Minbida, who served as finance officer of the Daulah Islamiyah - Hassan Group (DIHG), were recovered following special operations in Barangay Damablac, Talayan, Maguindanao on Friday.

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao --- Army units in central Mindanao and the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region are guarding against possible retaliations by followers of the slain top leader of the Dawlah Islamiya.  

Soldiers killed Salahuddin Hassan, leader of the feared Dawlah Islamiya, who was killed by soldiers in a brief encounter in nearby Talayan town before dawn Friday.

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao --- Soldiers killed the top leader in mainland Mindanao of the feared Dawlah Islamiya and his wife in a brief encounter in nearby Talayan town before dawn Friday.

Salahuddin Hassan, wanted for more than 30 deadly bomb attacks in central Mindanao, including the September 2, 2016 bombing of a night market in Davao City that left 14 dead and hurt more than 60 others, died on the spot from multiple gunshot wounds.  

FORT BONIFACIO, Metro Manila – During his visit to the 6th Infantry Division and its operationally controlled units in Central Mindanao on October 26 and 27, the Commanding General, Philippine Army (CGPA) Lt. Gen. Andres Centino reiterated his guidance to all units to utilize Army's resources on defeating the Armed Group.

In his "Talk to Troops," the CGPA emphasized the need for the Philippine Army to manage its limited resources to achieve an optimum result.

KORONADAL CITY --- A gunman shot and wounded the assistant director of the Department of Science and Technology-12 in an attack at a residential area here past 7:00 a.m. Wednesday.

Key sources from the Police Regional Office-12 said the 55-year-old Normina Pahm, who sustained a bullet wound in the shoulder, was immediately rushed to a hospital by responding barangay tanods and personnel of the Koronadal City Police.