‘Terrorist’ slain in encounter

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — An alleged terrorist was killed in an encounter with government security forces in Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur over the weekend.

Brig. Gen. Oriel Pangcog, chief of the Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade, and Col. Roel Rullan Sermese, Maguindanao del Sur police director, confirmed to journalists yesterday that Merlo Mling was killed in a brief clash on Saturday.

Both officials said that Mling, said to be a member of the Dawlah Islamiya, was wanted by authorities for several terror attacks.

Pangcog said the firefight broke out when Mling and his companions shot patrolling soldiers of the Army’s 40th Infantry Battalion.

Informants told the military that three of Mling’s companions – Kadir Mindoh, Samarudin Namla and Salem Junaid – were wounded in the encounter.

Witnesses said they saw the fleeing terrorists carrying their wounded comrades.