CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – Troops from the 40th Infantry ‘Magiting’ Battalion under Joint Task Force Central while conducting the intensified military operation in Brgy Lipao, Datu Paglas, Maguindanao clashed against an undetermined number of the lawless armed group which led to the neutralization of a certain Abdulatip Pendaliday alias Grasscutter, a notorious armed lawless and illegal drug personality, early morning today (May 21, 2021).
Brigadier General Roy Galido, Commander of 601st Infantry Brigade disclosed that government security forces continuously conducts clearing operations at the outskirts of Datu Paglas, Maguindanao, as part of its efforts to hunt down the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter (BIFF) extremists that attempted to attack the town public market last May 8. “Our forces were able to intercept and encounter a notorious armed lawless group that is linked with BIFF which resulted to the neutralization of alias Grasscutter”, BGen. Galido said.
Lieutenant Colonel Edwin Alburo, Commanding Officer of 40IB, said that after the firefight, security forces scoured the area and were able to seize four (4) Caliber .45 Pistol, one (1) Cal.38 pistol, one (1) a fragmentary hand grenade, two (2) rounds of RPG, ¼ grams of white crystalline substance believed to be shabu, and two (2) digital measuring device intended for shabu. “Pendaliday is considered as a notorious drug lord with a standing warrant of arrest for violation of Republic Act 9165 and at the same time an escapee of Maguindanao provincial jail”, Lt. Col. Alburo further disclosed.
Major General Juvymax Uy, Commander of 6ID and JTF Central lauded the commendable efforts of the 601st Infantry Brigade as instrumental in the neutralization of armed lawless members, thereby making evident the commitment of JTFC to protect the people of Central and South-Central Mindanao. “JTF Central will continue our effort and dedication in performing our mandated task to serve our people and securing our land, in this part of Mindanao”, Maj. Gen. Uy added.
It can be recalled that government forces thwarted the possible attack of 20 extremists coming from the BIFF-Karialan Faction at the Public Market of Datu Paglas Town in Maguindanao on the early morning of May 8. Since then, military forces have been relentless in their military operations targeting the said group and its affiliates. As of this reporting, seven (7) extremists have been killed, two (2) were arrested, and 14 firearms and 5 IEDs were already seized while no casualties have been reported on the side of the government forces nor from the civilian populace.
