Troops wound 3 terrorists, seize weapons in Maguindanao clash

Soldiers from the 6th Infantry Battalion wounded three members of a terrorist group and seized weapons and homemade bombs during an encounter in Datu Salibo, Maguindanao del Sur, on Saturday, May 3.

The clash involved around 10 terrorists from Dawlah Islamiya and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters who were reportedly extorting money from villagers at gunpoint.

Local leaders confirmed that the wounded terrorists fled with their companions while leaving behind an M14 assault rifle, two .45 caliber pistols, a dozen improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and bomb-making components; the IEDs could be detonated remotely using mobile phones.

Lt. Col. Al Victor Burkley stated that his troops were deployed to verify reports of armed men preparing for an attack in Barangay Penditen when the gunfight ensued.

The soldiers are now in possession of the firearms and explosives left by the terrorists as they escaped toward a nearby marshland.