SUSPECTED militants ambushed a Marine patrol killing one and wounding three others in Marogong town in Lanao del Sur last Saturday.
The attack by suspected Maute-Dawlah Islamiyah came as military officials dismissed the terrorist group as “a spent force” after suffering several setbacks last year.
Lt. Colonel Sergio Reyes Ronquillo, commander of the 2nd Marine Battalion Landing Team said the four Marines were walking to Barangay Cabasaran in Marogong town when the militants ambushed them.
“The Marines were not in uniform and were just bringing their short firearms because they were conducting community relations in the village,” Ronquillo said.
Ronquillo said Marine Sgt. Tonti Melbert Pamaran was killed instantly while leading the patrol.
The three others who were identified as Sergeants Aninon, Jeram Aradji, and corporal Mark Anthony Banares were wounded and managed to scamper to hide in the nearby bushes.
Ronquillo said the three wounded Marines engaged the militants until reinforcements from a nearby camp arrived.
Philippine Army Chief Lt. General Romeo Brawner said the militants were not able to recover after their camp in Maguing, Lanao del Sur was attacked by government troops in March 2022.
Brawner said the militants now numbering around 25 are led by the new Dawlah Islamiyah leader, Faharudin Hadji Satar alias Abu Bakar or Abu Zacaria.
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