PAGADIAN CITY – Army soldiers killed a bandit in a firefight that broke out Sunday in Zamboanga del Norte’s Sirawai town in southern Philippines, officials said.
Officials said troops from the 42nd Infantry Battalion engaged in a gun battle with the lawless group and killing one of them in Panabutan village. The slain gunman had been identified as Haton Hassan, a member of the Jumalon Tungkalan group operating in the province.
Troops recovered one .45 caliber pistol from the dead bandit that the military said was notorious.
“Reports of the civilian populace were very vital in tracking down the enemy location leading to the successful encounters of our unit,” said Colonel Francisco Ariel Felicidario III, commander of the 102nd Infantry Brigade.
Major General Roseller Murillo, commander of the 1st Infantry Division, said the army is ready to thwart any attempt by lawless elements to sow fear and terror among the civilian communities.
“Our soldiers stand ready to respond and address any attempt by the armed threat groups threatening the safety and well-being of the people. We will continue engaging with our civilian stakeholders and put our acts together paving the way for a resilient and sustainably developed communities in our area of responsibility,” he said. (Mindanao Examiner)
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