18-3-2024 (MANILA) 4 valiant soldiers lost their lives in a brazen ambush carried out by militants in the town of Datu Hoffer, Maguindanao province, on Sunday morning. The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the military ranks, prompting vows of unwavering determination to bring the perpetrators to justice.
According to Brig. Gen. Oriel Pangcog, commander of the 601st Infantry Brigade, the fallen heroes belonged to the 40th Infantry Battalion (IB) and the 3rd Cavalry under the 601st Infantry Brigade. The victims, all enlisted soldiers, had ventured into the town proper to procure food and office supplies when the ambush unfolded.
Tragically, as the troops were making their way back to the 40th IB patrol base in Sitio Bagurot, Barangay Mother Tuayan, they were ambushed along the road in the village of Tuayan 1, merely 1 or 2 kilometers away from their destination.
While the military has chosen to withhold the names of the slain soldiers for the time being, out of respect for the grieving families, their bodies have been transported to the 6th Infantry Division (ID) headquarters in Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.
Pangcog expressed his belief that the extremist group Daulah Islamiyah could be responsible for the attack, suggesting that it might have been a retaliatory strike in response to a successful military operation on December 2, 2023, which resulted in the neutralization of 11 members of the militant group.
“We had great accomplishments in December last year, when several Daulah Islamiyah members were killed and neutralized; so, it could be that they were behind this ambush,” Pangcog stated, referring to the military’s operation in the mountainous region of Mother Tuayan in Datu Hoffer.
In a separate statement, the Philippine Army condemned the “ruthless ambush” carried out by suspected members of the Daulah Islamiyah extremist group. Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, the Army chief, denounced the “senseless, treacherous and most heinous acts perpetrated by this terrorist group.”
“This incident only strengthens our resolve to eradicate this terrorist group from our land once and for all,” Galido declared, expressing solidarity with the families of the fallen heroes and assuring that appropriate benefits and assistance would be provided to them during this trying time.
Galido emphasized that the Army is working closely with local authorities and community leaders to ensure sustained security measures in the area. “The Army is committed to ensuring that the perpetrators face the full consequences of their actions and that justice will be served for the victims and their families,” he vowed.
The 6th ID also condemned the attack, with Maj. Gen. Alex Rillera, commander of the 6th Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Central, revealing that the food purchased by the troopers from the public market had been intended for the iftar, the meal taken by Muslims to break their fast after sunset during the holy month of Ramadan.
“We condemn in the strongest term the brutal killing of our troops,” Rillera stated, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the military’s unwavering commitment to protecting the lives of its personnel.
