Marcos admin intensifies efforts vs terrorist groups

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. pledged on Sunday to enhance the government’s efforts in combating terrorist groups.

This commitment came in response to the deaths of six soldiers in confrontations with the Islamic State-linked Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute Group (DI-MG) in a remote village in Munai, Lanao del Norte, on February 18.

“Hindi natin makakalimutan ang kanilang kadakilaan at kabayanihan. Ipagpapatuloy natin ang kanilang ipinaglaban, at uusigin natin ang mga kalaban ng kapayapaan. (We will never forget their greatness and heroism. We will continue what they fought for and we will go after the enemies of peace),” President Marcos said in his vlog uploaded on YouTube.

“Ipinapangako natin sa kanilang mga mahal sa buhay, at sa sambayanang Pilipino, na ating ipadarama sa kanilang mga na-ulila, ang pagmamahal at pagkikilala ng pamahalaan sa kanilang nagawang sakripisyo (We promise to their loved ones, and to the Filipino people, that we will make their family feel the love and recognition of the government for their sacrifices),” he added.

Six soldiers from the Philippine Army’s 44th Infantry Battalion lost their lives, and four others sustained injuries during a gun battle with the DI group in Barangay Ramain.

Assistance in combatting the DI-MG extremists was provided by the 7th Scout Ranger Company, operating under the 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion.

The DI-MG group is active within communities situated along the boundary of Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur.