Gunman linked to death of SAF 44 slain in MagSur

ONE of the gunmen involved in the killing of 44 police officers in Mamasapano, Maguindanao in 2015 was killed during law enforcement operations in Datu Saudi Ampatuan municipality, the Army said.

Lt. Colonel Michael Glenn Manansala, 6th Infantry Battalion commander, said joint police and Army operatives were to serve a warrant of arrest against Bansir Samaon when resisted and, using his caliber .45 pistol, opened fire on state forces at about noon Friday.

Samaon, also known as “Malang” and “Bungo,” was a member of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), an outlawed group that pledge allegiance to ISIS.

“He was a bomb courier of the BIFF and one of the gunmen linked to the killing of PNP Special Action Force in 2015,” Manansala said.

“The soldiers only defended themselves when the suspect fired his pistol toward the operating units,” he added.

His relatives immediately claimed his body from the local police office and buried according to Islamic rites.

Brig. Gen. Oriel Pangcog, 601st Infantry Brigade commander, lauded the operating troops for neutralizing the suspect who reacted violently to law enforcers serving his warrant.

“At least justice is achieved for SAF 44 with the death of one of the attackers,” Pagcog said.

“SAF 44” refers to the death of 44 elite police officers in Barangay Tukanalipao, Mamasapano, Maguindanao on January 25, 2015.

The PNP-SAF was part of state forces tasked to arrest Malaysian bomb expert Zulkifli Bin Hir, alias Marwan.

After Marwan was killed, Moro gunmen, both from the BIFF and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), clashed with SAF commandos that left 44 police officers, about 17 Moro gunmen and civilians dead during the 11-hour fierce firefight.

Maj. Gen. Alex Rillera, 6th Infantry Division commander, also lauded the 6th IB troopers and police officers for the successful law enforcement operation.

He called on other BIFF gunmen to lay down guns, surrender and live with their loved ones by taking advantage of the government’s peace and reconciliation program.

“I hope you will consider this offer before its too late,” said Rillera, also commander of Army-led Joint Task Force Central (JTFC). Edwin O. Fernandez

THE Ministry of Labor and Employment in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOLE-BARMM) has recognized an employee of a private company during the Labor Day celebrations on Monday.

Arlene Valdez-Hepiga of Cotabato Light and Power Company (Cotabato Light) was given recognition as “Huwarang Manggagawa” awardee.

“She exemplified hard work and dedication to work,” according to BARMM Labor Minister Muslimin Sema during Labor Day celebration at the Bangsamoro Government Center on Monday. Hepiga, who has been working at Cotabato Light for more than 14 years, was visibly elated and grateful for the recognition.

“I did not expect to receive this recognition, I am humbled, in my 14 years in the Aboitiz company, my heart and passion to serve drove me to even work harder,” she said. “I just work hard as expected from me and do the task given to me to ensure work is done as expected by my employer,” she added.

When asked about her advice to other workers, Hepiga said: “Put your heart into everything that you do, love your work, and give the best that you can in order to achieve not just your personal goals, but what the company is achieving as well.”

It was also the same month last year when Cotabato Light and Power Company received an award as the Most Compliant Establishment in BARMM Region.

Theme of this year’s Labor Day celebration was “Matatag na Trabaho at Kabuhayan Para sa Manggagawang Bangsamoro.”

BARMM Senior Minister Abunawas “Von Al Haq” Maslamama who graced the event, stressed that the Bangsamoro

Hunt still on for followers of slain alleged brains in Adiong ambush

POLICE in Lanao del Sur has intensified its manhunt operation against other suspects in the plot to killed Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr after its alleged mastermind was slain in police operation Wednesday.

Colonel Robert Daculan, Lanao del Sur police provincial director, said the operation against followers of the ambush mastermind who remained at large is continuing.

Gandawali in Barangay Pilimoknan.

“But Gandawali sensed the approaching lawmen and immediately opened fire, hitting Sgt. Virecio in the process. That triggered a brief firefight.” Daculan said in a statement. Gandawali’s companions escaped to different directions while the firefight was raging.

Government is committed to investing in people’s capabilities in providing decent and sustainable work.

Maslamama also expressed his appreciation to the Bangsamoro workers. “We acknowledge their significance and valuable contributions to the growing economy of BARMM,” Maalamama said.

“The BARMM Government is grateful for your constant efforts as partners in achieving our shared goals for the Bangsamoro region,” he added.

Labor Minister Muslimin G. Sema, expressed his commitment to improve the working conditions of workers.

“Narito tayo upang i-celebrate ang pinakaimportanteng araw ng manggagawa sa buong kasaysayan ng ating bansa,” Sema said.

“Ang MOLE, under the leadership of the BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim, ay gagawin ang lahat ng makakaya para mabigyan ng panibagong antas at kulay ang ating mga manggagawa,” he added.

Daculan said Oscar Tacmar Capal Gandawali, leader of Gandawali Private Armed Group, was killed when he resisted arrest and briefly traded shots with police operatives at about 3 p.m. Wednesday (May 3).

Injured were 5th Infantry Battalion trooper Staff Sgt. Michael Angelo Y Virecio and Chairman Gamon Manonggiring of Barangay Pilimoknan in Maguing town where the operation was conducted.

Daculan said police operatives, backed by soldiers from 5th IB and Police Special Action Force, were to serve eight warrants of arrest for murder and frustrated murder charges against

Daculan said police recovered firearms, ammunition, illegal drugs and shabu paraphernalia from Gandawali’s safe house.

The police director said Gandawali was the mastermind in the ambush of Governor Adiong, Jr. last February 17, 2023 in Maguing town that claimed the lives of the governor’s three police escorts and the driver.

Adiong was wounded in the ambush but is now fully recovered.

Daculan said Gandawali also masterminded the ambush and killing of five agents of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Kapai, Lanao del Sur last October 2018.

The Gandawali crime gang was also involved in

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“Kayo ang sundalo ng kasaganahan, sundalo ng development,” the labor minister emphasized.

O. Fernandez

MILITARY forces in Lanao del Sur on Tuesday briefly clashed with Moro extremists in Lanao del Sur and recovered a machine gun, the military said Wednesday.

But the subject of military action managed to elude arrest while fighting was raging on Tuesday afternoon.

Elements of 51st Infantry Battalion missed Dawlah IslamiyaLanao leader Abu Zacariah, the alleged highest leader of IS linked Moro extremists in Mindanao.

Soldiers were checking on intelligence reports that Zacaria, the alleged emir of IS in the Philippines, was on board a white Mitsubishi adventure.

The operating units, responding to intelligence reports, sighted the vehicle in Barangay Gadongan, Pualas, Lanao del Sur.

As the soldiers were checking who’s inside the vehicle, about 10 armed men opened fire, triggering a brief firefight. Outnumbered, the extremists escaped and mingled with the local residents.

“No one was hurt on the