Troops kill 5, hurt 9 other lawless elements in Sultan Kudarat clash

Government troops killed five and wounded nine other lawless elements in a gun battle in Sultan Kudarat last Thursday, the military said Saturday.

In press release, the Joint Task Force Central said troops from the 40th Infantry Battalion launched an operation in Sultan Kudarat on June 4 against the armed lawless group (ALG), killing its leader and four of its followers.

Soldiers identified the slain ALG leader as Commander Tugali Guiamal Galmak, a.k.a. Commander Tugali.

According to the military, the clash erupted in Purok Galmak, Barangay Baumol, Lambayong. 

“Tugali is an ALG commander and a former member of Pentagon/KFRG operating in Central Mindanao,” said Col Joel Mamon OIC, 601st Infantry Brigade.

Task force commander Maj. Gen. Diosdado Carreon was quoted as saying that the troops reached the area at around 6:29 a.m., and their target was reinforced with more or less 20 fully armed men from Barangay Langgapanan.

Fifteen members of the target ALG were arrested during the encounter, the military said, adding that soldiers also recovered from the clash site 15 firearms, including Commander Tugali's.

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, WestMinCom Commander congratulated the troops from the Joint Task Force Central, led by Maj. Gen. Diosdado Carreon.

Sobejana commended the troops for neutralizing the lawless group in Sultan Kudarat. —Mariz Revales/LBG, GMA News