Ten members of a lawless group were killed while eight others were wounded in a fierce clash with soldiers in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat on Thursday.
Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, the commander of the Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion, said the battle took place at Sitio Mantisao, Bual village at 6:30 a.m. Thursday.
Cabunoc said his men and the local police were serving a search warrant when they were fired upon by about 50 heavily armed gunmen Cabunoc who are said to be involved in extortion activities and illegal mining.
“The bandits were occupying fortified positions with machinegun emplacements and running trenches. They were ready to confront the security forces,” Cabunoc said.
Cabunoc said eight other suspects and a soldier, PFC David Desidario were wounded during the fire fight which lasted for almost three hours.
Senior Supt. Raul Supiter, Sultan Kudarat police director, said the security forces conducted the law enforcement operations in the area following complaints from the local villagers against the group of Commander Black Moro who had been harassing the villagers.
The lawmen were able to capture Abdul Maguid Logioman, 41, alias Commander Black Moro who yielded one automatic rifle. (FRANCIS T. WAKEFIELD & JOSEPH JUBELAG)