Troops lauded for killing suspected kidnapper in Lanao del Sur

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Government troops were lauded for the killing of a suspected kidnapper in Lanao del Sur on Tuesday.

Dimaporo Dimasacal alias Commander Delta Force was killed by government troops in an operation launched against his group, which has been tagged for the kidnapping of the son of Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Elias Yusoph.

Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief Lt. Gen. Benjamin Dolorfino said Dimasacal was also behind the ambush of a military convoy in Poona Bayabao town last Monday that left a soldier dead and five others wounded.

Dolorfino said Dimasacal was killed Tuesday while trying to escape with his followers in Barangay Aleem Rayah Karamian, Masiu town.

Dolorfino also dismissed allegations from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) that Dimasacal was a military asset.

“That’s plain and simple disinformation and the allegation is not true,” he said.

The MILF posted a statement on its website claiming they have encountered the group of Dimasacal before the encounter with the military.

The MILF said the military mistook their guerrillas as belonging to the group of Dimasacal.

Dolorfino said troops were even praised over the encounter since Dimasacal is among those wanted in the kidnapping of Nuraldin Yusoph, son of Comelec Commissioner Yusoph who was kidnapped last June 21 in Marawi City.

Dolorfino pointed out Dimasacal led a group that ambushed the troops from the Army’s 51st Infantry Battalion in Poona Bayabao town last Monday.

He said troops have been tasked to continue the manhunt for the remaining followers of Dimasacal.

While troops continued to pressure the kidnappers, Dolorfino said they are also allowing Muslim religious leaders to negotiate for the safe recovery of the younger Yusoph.

“The soldiers are taking the safety of the kidnap victim with paramount concern,” he said.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) had declared they were ready to mount rescue operations in the event negotiations for the safe release of Yusoph fail.

Unidentified men kidnapped the 22-year-old Yusoph shortly after he emerged from the VicBato Alih mosque in Barangay Sabala Amanao, Marawi City on June 20.

The kidnappers reportedly called the elder Yusoph demanding that the nullification of the election results in the towns of Malabang, Pilong, Taraka, and Masiu in exchange for the release of his son.

The Comelec, however, rejected the demands. The Comelec held special elections in the four towns following a failure of elections during the May 10 polls.