Lanao Sur notorious leader killed in an encounter with Army troops

BGen Rey Ardo interviewed by mediamen in his 103rd INF BDE HQ in Marawi after the death of Cmdr Delta TNU Dimaporo Maniri Dimasacal.


Kampo Ranao, Marawi City. Dimaporo Maniri Dimasacal alias Delta, lawless leader of the notorious Delta Force, was killed in an encounter between the Army troops and lawless elements which occurred today at around 3:30 in the afternoon at Aleem Raya, Masiu, Lanao del Sur. The army troops are composed of the combined elements of the 51^st Infantry Battalion, 1^st Infantry Division, Philippine Army under LTC GIOVANNI T FRANZA INF (GSC) PA, 12 Light Armor Company together with t the PNP.

After the clash, the lawless group withdrew leaving behind the dead body of Delta, one (1) M16 A1 rifle with M203 grenade launcher attached, a bandoleer, two (2) magazines, three (3) rounds of M203 grenade launcher, and fourteen (14) rounds of 5.56mm pistol which were all recovered by the Army troops.

It can be recalled that on Tuesday morning, lawless elements headed by Delta ambushed the troops of 51^st Inf Bn at the municipality of Poona Bayabao in a populated area near the police station. This confrontation led to a manhunt operation against Delta and his group, who are also allegedly involved in the abduction of Nuraldin Yusoph, the 22-year old son of COMELEC Commissioner Elias R Yusoph.

“Delta’s death must serve as a warning not only to those lawless elements in Lanao Sur who are planning to execute future atrocities but also to the kidnappers of Nuraldin”, said BGEN REY C ARDO AFP, Commander of the 103^rd Brigade. “We will never stop until the rest of the group is captured and brought to justice”, he added.

Delta is known to be one of the province’s most wanted. He has a standing warrant of arrest for multiple murders, a leader of a kidnap for ransom group operating in the area and the man behind numerous encounters and ambushes staged against military troops in Lanao del Sur. The several pursuit operations conducted by the army troops led to his death, finally putting end to his lawlessness. Many people were elated with his demise especially his clan adversaries and the family of his previous victims. (S-7,103rd BDE)