Two members of the Army Intelligence Group under the 51st Infantry Battalion (51IB) were killed in a reported ambush in Munai, Lanao del Norte on Wednesday, January 3, 2024.

Police found the bodies of the two soldiers and their motorcycles in Barangay Liningding.

The two sustained gunshot wounds in different parts of their body. 

Officials of the 1st Infantry Division (1ID) confirmed the identities of the soldiers.

Major Jairus Mira, spokesperson of the 1ID, said the military troops were conducting intelligence operation in the area against the group of alias “Khatab” who is an alleged member of the Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute Group when the ambush was staged.

“Sa kanila kasi ‘yang area na ‘yan kung saan pumasok ‘yung tropa natin, nag-conduct ng operation. Ang ambush ay carried out ito ng around 6 members ng Dawlah Islamiya sa pangunguna ng tinatawag nila na hit squad sa pamumuno ni alyas Khatab,” Mira said.

Other soldiers were reportedly able to fight back and flee the ambush site. They are still recuperating in the hospital.

The military also said the soldiers’ service firearms, ammunition, cellphones, and wallets were lost.

“Ang 1st Infantry "Tabak" Division naman, hahanapin kung sino man ang gumawa nun. Hindi natin pabayaan ‘yung mga tropa namin na nawala lalo na ‘yung pamilya nila. Rest assured na gagawa kami ng paraan, ongoing pa rin ‘yung operations sa kabila ng nangyari, we commit to ensure the safety ng tropa namin at sa community,” Mira added.