25 February 2017•Update: 25 February 2017
By Hader Glang
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines
Security forces shot dead two members of a local Daesh-linked terror group and arrested another one in the southern city of Iligan.
Gunmen from Daesh-linked Maute group seized the vehicle of a businessman on C-30 Road in Ubaldo Lays village around 8:45 p.m. Friday, said Capt. Jo-Ann Petinglay, spokesperson of the Western Mindanao Command, adding that the gunmen opened fire at security forces who were on checkpoint to block the positions after they were alerted of the incident.
Terrorist group suffered two casualties, Petinglay said, and added, "They used the vehicle as they fled but was intercepted by operatives of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Forces on Camague Road and the suspects' driver was arrested in Marawi City."
Troops also recovered an M4 rifle with three magazines and 60 rounds of ammunition and a Caliber .45 pistol belonging to the group at the suspects' vehicle.
The military claims the Abu Sayyaf and other Daesh-linked local terrorists have been suffering tactical defeat following a number of successes this month.
But Friday night's shootout between government forces and the Maute followed few days after its terror ally - the Abu Sayyaf group -- attacked a Vietnamese cargo vessel off Tawi-Tawi waters, killing a crew member and seizing seven others.
Major General Carlito Galvez Jr., WestMinCom chief, credited the effective police and military coordination in stopping atrocities in the area where armed groups linked with Daesh operate.
“The prompt response of the government forces, as well as the quick coordination made by the police with the military, have led to the successful neutralization and arrest of the members of the terror group and the recovery of their firearms,” Galvez said.
