GOVERNMENT troops killed Friday two gunmen from the terrorist group Maute while another one was captured in two separate checkpoint operations after the suspects staged a carjacking incident in Iligan City.
Captain Jo-Ann Petinglay, spokesperson of the Western Mindanao Command, said Azzam Ampua Tahir and a certain Wowie were killed in a shootout with soldiers and members of civilian auxiliary unit at a checkpoint at the boundary of Iligan City and Tagoloan.
The shootout was followed by the arrest of another suspect in a dragnet operation along Camague Road in Iligan City. Petinglay identified the suspect as Eyeman Alonto, a native of Marawi City.
“Alonto was intercepted on board a white Elantra Hyundai. The car was used by his group in flagging down a white Ford Ranger XLT pick-up. Tahir and Wowie were on board the Ranger when intercepted by our soldiers,” Petinglay said.
At around 8:45 a.m., Petinglay said the armed suspects on board an Elantra flagged down the Ranger and forcibly ordered businessman Othelo Adiong, 36, to step out from the car at gunpoint.
Adiong’s mother, Elvira Adiong, 62, his wife Esthepanie Adiong and their son were also ordered to step out of the car.
The Adiongs were on their way to their store when stopped by the gunmen along C3 road in Barangay Ubaldo Laya, Iligan City.
After divesting the victims of their valuables, the two suspects escaped on board the Ford Ranger while another one went the opposite direction on board the Elantra.
“The prompt response of the government forces, as well as the quick coordination made by the police with the military, have led to the successful neutralization and arrest of the members of the terror group and the recovery of their firearms,” Petinglay said.
She said that in the encounter with the two dead suspect, the troops recovered from them an M4 rifle with three magazines and 60 rounds of ammunition and a Caliber .45 pistol.
“I would like to laud the forces for the readiness and professionalism they have manifested. And I am assuring the public that the government forces will continue to look after cities and communities so that these bad elements will not be able to freely conduct any atrocities,” said Westmincom commander Major General Carlito Galvez Jr.