2 PAG members killed, 3 soldiers hurt in Maguindanao clash

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 21): 2 PAG members killed, 3 soldiers hurt in Maguindanao clash

Government forces killed two lawless elements belonging to a Private Armed Group (PAG) and arrested another in an operation conducted Thursday in Gen. Salipada Pendatun town in Maguindanao, the Army here said.

Assorted high powered guns, including a powerful cal. 50 barret sniper's rifle, were confiscated.
Lt. Colonel Ricky Bunayog, 33rd Infantry Battalion commander, a brief firefight in Barangay Makaines, led to the arrest of Ryan Mayogantong Bansil, Jr, son of private armed group leader of Mayogantong Bansil Sr who managed to escape.

His group was linked to robbery, carnapping, cattle rustling and extortion.

Bunayog said his unit has provided back-up force to elements of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Three soldiers were injured in the firefight that left two followers of Bansil killed.

Bunayog said Sgt, Aurelio Ferrer, Cpl. Marcial Duri and PFC Denemar Albani, all of 33rd IB, were slightly injured when Bansil's men fired a rifle grenade.

Government forces seized cal. 50 barret rifle, a Garand rifle, an M-16 Armalite rifle, two grenade launchers, three rifle grenades, about 100 ammunition for various caliber.

Armed with search warrants issued by Judge Melenio Guerrero of RTC-12 in Tacurong City against Bansil, police and military forces swooped on the village of Makaines at about 8 a.m. but they were met with bullets from the gang members, triggering a firefight.

Mayogantong is now undergoing interrogation at CIDG office in Cotabato City.

Following the escape of Bansil Sr, the military is seeking the help of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in neutralizing the gang leader.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=933292