MORE than 259 families or 2,000 residents of Marogong town fled on Saturday after Dawlah-Islamiyah gunmen threatened to attack the municipality in retaliation for the arrest of four of its companions.
Lanao del Sur disaster relief official Shaminoden Sambitory said the residents fled to the neighboring towns of Binidayan, Balabagan, and Madalum late Saturday night following the arrest of the four suspects.
Major General Antonio Nafarete, commanding general of the Army 1st Division said the arrests came after a combat team came upon the suspects who were allegedly waiting for their supporters who were bringing in food and supplies in barangays Piangologan and Pabrika in Marogong town last Friday.
“The suspects were caught off guard by the quick raid by the combat patrol,” Nafarete said in a statement.
The military identified the suspects as Muhammad Nasif, 18 years old; Saidi Macadaag, 18 years old, and two minors.
Nafarete said the four are allegedly operating under Fajarudin Pumbaya Pagalian also known as Abu Zacaria, the new Amir of the Dawlah Islamiyah in the Philippines.
He said an M14 rifle, an M16A1 rifle, an R4 rifle, a Springfield rifle, and a 40mm M203 grenade launcher, assorted ammunition were seized from the suspects.
Sambitory said the fear that the terrorists would attack Marogong town prompted the evacuation of residents to seek refuge in the neighboring town.
“That is our initial report and we are closely monitoring the situation in Marogong town. The officials are on alert status,” Sambitory said.
He said more than 206 families or 1,236 individuals fled to nearby Biidayan town; another 45 families to Balabagan town and eight families to Madalum town.
Disclaimer
Mindanao Gold Star Daily holds the copyrights of all articles and photos in perpetuity. Any unauthorized reproduction in any platform, electronic and hardcopy, shall be liable for copyright infringement under the Intellectual Property Rights Law of the Philippines.
