DAVAO CITY – Three members of terrorist group Ansar Al Khilafah Philippines (AKP) were killed in a joint operation by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police Saturday at Sitio Lebe, Brgy Daliao, Maasim, Sarangani Province.
Joint troops of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police recovered three dead bodies of the still unidentified AKP members, one carbine rifle, one unit M79 grenade launcher, one rifle scope, a black flag with ISIS logo and an empty shell of M203 grenade ammunition.
Residents reported the presence of the armed group, numbering around 17, to authorities.
Foreign national are also said to be members of the terror group.
Before the encounter, joint elements of the AFP-PNP were about to arrest a certain Mustapha Gansing who is said to be a member of the AKP.
Authorities were able to arrest Gansing who had in his possession UZI machine pistol with loaded magazine and various subversive documents containing IED diagram lectures.
Brigadier General Ronald Villanueva, commander of 1002nd Infantry “Bagwis” Brigade said their latest operation is in line with President Duterte’s call to eliminate any opportunity for the ISIS or Daesh to enter the country.
“This is the reason why the AFP and the PNP jointly conducted the counter terrorism operations to eliminate this threat that endanger the safety and well being of the residents of Maasim and the neighboring municipalities of Sarangani Province,” Villanueva said.
Villanueva added that the AFP and the PNP is thankful for the information immediately reported by the concerned citizens of Brgy. Daliao, Maasim, Sarangani Province which shows that the citizens have accepted that security is a shared responsibility. (With a report from Francis T. Wakefield) (YAS D. OCAMPO)
