LANAO DEL NORTE, Philippines – Four Philippine Army soldiers were killed, while another was wounded, in an ambush carried out by militants of the Dawlah Islamiyah–Maute Group (DI-MG) on Friday in Barangay Lininding, Munai, Lanao del Norte.
The Philippine Army said the soldiers were traveling in a private vehicle while conducting a community support program, a noncombat operation aimed at assisting local residents, when they were attacked near a river crossing.
Philippine Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Antonio G. Nafarrete expressed condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers and assured them of the Army’s full support.
“There will be no let-up in our operations until justice is served. No safe haven will remain for the terrorists who carried out this attack,” Nafarrete said in a statement, adding that military operations would be intensified in coordination with law enforcement agencies and local government units.
The Philippine National Police confirmed the incident and said it is assisting the military in ongoing pursuit operations against the attackers.
Army public affairs chief Col. Louie Dema-Ala described the ambush as “treacherous and, frankly, terrorist” in nature.
He said the attack appeared retaliatory, aimed at demonstrating the group’s continued presence in the area and punishing communities that support government programs.
One soldier was wounded and evacuated for medical treatment, Dema-Ala said. He added that the assailants used high-powered firearms but there was “almost no firefight” as the attack was sudden and highly targeted.
The Dawlah Islamiyah–Maute Group is a local extremist faction that pledged allegiance to the Islamic State and gained notoriety during the 2017 Marawi siege. Although significantly weakened by sustained military operations, remnants of the group continue to operate in parts of Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur, often carrying out sporadic attacks against security forces and civilians.
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