DATU BLAH SINSUAT, Maguindanao del Norte — A joint law enforcement operation led to the death of an alleged member of the notorious Tato group, while the group’s leader managed to escape, following a clash in Barangay Meti on Friday.
According to reports from the 1st Marine Brigade and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group – Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (CIDG-BAR), the operation targeted Yasser Samo Tato, alias “Tingao,” who is reportedly the leader of the armed group and the subject of an outstanding arrest warrant for attempted murder, issued by RTC Branch 19, Isulan, Sultan Kudarat. Tingao, however, evaded capture during the armed encounter.
The individual killed in the firefight was identified as Norsaide Samo Tato, a local resident, who was believed to be affiliated with the Tato group. His relatives, however, dispute this, claiming he was a former barangay official and denying his involvement in criminal activities.
The joint operation, which began at around 2:00 a.m. and lasted until late afternoon, turned violent when the suspects reportedly opened fire after sensing the presence of government forces. Troops recovered a cache of firearms and other items from the encounter site, including a Springfield Armory .45 caliber pistol, a homemade shotgun, a .22 caliber rifle with scope, various ammunition, an M-14 rifle magazine, an M-16 magazine, a .45 caliber magazine, a rifle grenade, handheld radios, passports, and identification cards.
Military helicopters conducted clearing operations shortly after the encounter, as part of the security sweep in the area.
The operation and subsequent firefight also prompted monitoring efforts from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) and the Marine Battalion Landing Team 5 (MBLT5), ensuring the situation did not escalate further.
MILF’s 104th Base Command Deputy Brigade Commander, Tato Ali, expressed strong condemnation against individuals using MILF communities, particularly Barangay Meti, as hideouts for criminal activities. Ali emphasized the MILF’s commitment to peace and order, stating, “We will never allow anyone to tarnish the reputation of the MILF or to use our community as a refuge for lawless elements. We remain partners of the government in promoting stability in the region.”
Meanwhile, the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) clarified its presence in the area. MNLF representatives, led by Foreign Minister Prof. Noreen Pallong Noor Abdulsattar, Deputy Foreign Minister Datu Rolly Karon, and Sheikh Adas, stressed that their presence near the firefight site was solely to secure the MNLF-registered camp in Barangay Laguitan, and the adjacent community. MNLF Spokesperson Sheikh Mohamad Parid Solaiman Adas reiterated the group’s call for proper coordination with law enforcement agencies to avoid misunderstandings and affirmed their commitment to keeping MNLF camps free from criminal elements.
Recovered evidence is now in the custody of CIDG-BAR for proper documentation and disposition, as authorities continue their pursuit of the fugitive leader and other remaining members of the group.