2 killed in encounter at Maguindanao del Sur checkpoint

Two persons were killed in an encounter after they allegedly fired shots at soldiers at a checkpoint in Datu Abdullah Sangki, Maguindanao del Sur on Tuesday, the Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID) said.

Lieutenant Colonel Udgie Villan, 33rd Infantry Battalion commanding officer, said the soldiers were at a checkpoint in Barangay Old Maganoy when they saw a “suspicious” minivan.

The people onboard the vehicle suddenly fired shots at the soldiers while fleeing, according to Villan. In response, the military personnel retaliated.

“Nagkaroon ng engkwentro at nakita ng ating kasundaluhan sa loob ng sasakyan ng mga suspek ang isang M16 rifle at isang .45 caliber pistol na ginamit nila sa pagpaputok sa mga nakadestino sa checkpoint,” Villan said in a statement released on Tuesday evening.

(There was an encounter and our soldiers found inside the suspects' vehicle an M16 rifle and a .45 caliber pistol which they used to fire on those stationed at the checkpoint.)

Commander of 601st Brigade, Brigadier General Edgar Catu, ordered setting up more checkpoint operations following the incident to prevent the entry of armed individuals.

“Ang agarang pagtugon ng ating tropa ay patunay ng ating patuloy na dedikasyon sa pagpapanatili ng kapayapaan at kaayusan sa rehiyon, lalong-lalo na at higit isang buwan na lang ay eleksyon na,” Catu said.

(The prompt response of our troops is proof of our continued dedication to maintaining peace and order in the region, especially with the elections just over a month away.)

Major General Donald M. Gumiran, commander of 6ID and Joint Task Force Central, stressed the important role of the military in strictly implementing checkpoints to maintain peace and order.

"Patuloy naming pinaiigting ang operasyon ng kasundaluhan katuwang ang pulisya at iba pang security forces upang mapanatili ang seguridad at tiyakin ang kaligtasan ng bawat mamamayan sa buong Central at South Central Mindanao,” he said.

(We continue to intensify military operations in partnership with the police and other security forces to maintain security and ensure the safety of every citizen throughout Central and South Central Mindanao.)

“Sa pamamagitan ng masinsinang pagpapatrolya at mahigpit na pagpapatupad ng mga checkpoint, sisiguraduhin nating mapipigilan ang anumang banta sa kapayapaan at maiiwasan ang anumang insidente na maaaring magdulot ng pangamba sa ating mga komunidad,” he added.

(Through intensive patrols and strict enforcement of checkpoints, we will ensure that any threat to peace is prevented and any incident that may cause fear in our communities is averted.) —Joviland Rita/ VAL, GMA Integrated News