Pursuit ops ongoing after deadly Maguindanao del Sur clash, says AFP

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Sunday that hot pursuit operations are ongoing against the two armed groups involved in the deadly firefight in Pandag, Maguindanao del Sur that left two persons dead. 

“We are in continuous pursuit operation. As of this time, patuloy pa po ang operations natin so hindi pa natin maibibigay ang [our operations are ongoing so we still can’t give] complete details other than what was stated yesterday,” AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview. 

According to the Philippine Army, an armed group sympathetic to the chairman of Barangay Lower Dilag, clashed against the group of a certain Morsid Mamalinta on Saturday. 

One fatality was identified as a candidate for municipal councilor, while the identity of the other fatality has yet to be determined. Another person was also injured and seven were arrested following the encounter.

Padilla explained the AFP may augment the deployment of its personnel in areas where there are serious threats, considering the upcoming May 12 national and local elections.

“Depending on the category of the area, doon din nagde-depende ang deployment natin. So kung mas malakas ang threat and the risk factor dito sa particular area, mas malaki din ang deployment natin doon,” she added. 

(Our deployment depends on the category of the area. So if the threat and the risk factor are stronger in a particular area, our deployment there will also be bigger.) 

She also said the AFP is currently operating in both combat and election modes.

“Monitored threats from local terrorist groups and lawless elements are being addressed with appropriate contingency measures as we work in dual mode—election and combat mode,” Padilla said. —RF, GMA Integrated News