According to Lt. Col. Tristan Rey Vallescas, the Commander of the 7th Infantry Battalion (7IB), a “rido” or clan war erupted in the area which resulted in the displacement of civilians within the community. Acting on the information received, government forces proceeded to the location to conduct Law Enforcement Operation (LEO) to protect the people and de-escalate the situation. However, upon approaching the area, a group of armed individuals fired upon the responding government forces which prompted the latter to retaliate. This exchange of fires resulted in the wounding of one soldier, who is now in stable condition, and the death of the two unidentified armed individuals.
Meanwhile, confiscated from the series of encounters included one 60mm Mortar; one M60 General-Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG); two Carbine M16A1; one Winchester Cal. 22 rifle; one Cal. 50mm Barret rifle; one Cal. 30mm Barret rifle; one M203 Tube; 325 50mm ball case RDS cartridge; 113 RDS cartridge; case: 7.62mm; 19 7. 62mm ball RDS cartridge; 227 5.56 mm case RDS cartridge; 15 5.56mm ball linked RDS cartridge; five 30mm case RDS cartridge; five 30mm ball RDS cartridge; one Long Magazine of AK47; one M16A1 Long Magazine; two RDS Rocket-propelled Grenade (RPG) ammunition; 14 RDS RPG Ammo Sidik Bomb; three pcs. RPG fuse; two 25mm High Explosive (HE) RDS cartridge; Baofeng Commercial radio; one assorted ID; and one ATM card.
The confiscated war materiel are now placed under the custody of 7IB for safekeeping and proper disposition.
Meanwhile, Lt. Gen. William Gonzales, the Commander of the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom), vowed to continue the campaign against local armed conflicts in the region.
“Armed conflicts significantly affect the implementations of the government development programs and in most cases result in the displacement of law abiding communities. Hence, the WESMINCOM together with the Philippine National Police will continue to actualize our strong commitment to carry out the mandate of the Bangsamoro Task Force-Ending Local Armed Conflict for the sustenance of lasting peace in our areas of operation. Lt. Gen. Gonzales said.
