Alleged private armed group member killed, six others nabbed in Zamboanga del Sur

May 13, 2019

An alleged member of a private armed group was killed while six others were apprehended after an encounter with Zamboanga del Sur on Sunday night.

Lt. Angel Manglapus, public affairs officer of the 1st Infantry Division, said their soldiers deployed for election duties encountered unidentified armed elements wearing wig on at least three motorcycles and one owner type vehicle in the vicinity of Sitio Sibuan, Purok 3, Barangay Tubod, Lakewood at 10:25 pm.

Lt. Col. Marlowe Patria, commanding officer of 53rd Infantry Battalion, said troops were conducting mobile patrol operation when they were fired upon by alleged members of the private armed group.

“Prior to encounter, our troops were conducting mobile patrol when this armed group fired upon them. Our troops resorted to fire back and an encounter ensued which resulted to the killing of one of their members and apprehension of six other individuals,” Patria said.

“Recovered at the scene of encounter were one caliber .45 pistol with two magazines loaded with ammunition, three magazines of M-16 rifle with ammunition,” he added.

Manglapus said after the clash the police crime scene operatives recovered the body, confiscated two motorcycles, one tricycle and one owner type vehicle.

“The apprehended personalities together with the recovered items were turned-over to Lakewood municipal police station for proper disposition and filing of appropriate charges,” he added.

Brigadier General Roberto Ancan, 1st Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Zampelan (Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao Provinces) commander, said “the armed encounter and apprehension of these PAG members are the result of our relentless campaign to ensure free and secured National and Local Elections 2019 in Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao provinces.”