Cops kill 2 alleged ISIS members in Davao del Sur raids

Photo after the police operations in Barangay Lapulabao and Aplaya in Hagonoy, Davao del Sur. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

DIGOS CITY – Two suspected members of the terror group ISIS allegedly operating in the Southern parts of Mindanao were killed in separate raids shortly before midnight on Sunday.

A joint team of law enforcers armed with search warrants stormed Barangays Lapulabao and Aplaya, both in Hagonoy, Davao del Sur around 11:20 p.m. on October 14 where a firefight ensued when the suspects allegedly fired at the approaching law enforcers.

Davao del Sur police director Sr. Supt. Ferlu Silvio identified the fatalities as Norton Sinapan,  a resident of Barangay Aplaya, and Norhan Sinapan a.k.a. Kiko, a resident of Barangay Lapulabao.

Both were declared dead on arrival at the hospital.

Davao del Sur police spokesperson Sr. Insp. Grace Jamila de Castro said the suspects were biological brothers and members of an organized crime group that purportedly pledged alliance with the ISIS.

De Castro said Sinapan Norton is the leader of Dawlah Islamiya, Digos cell.

The raiding team who went to the resident of Norhan at Purok 6, in Barangay Lapulabao recovered a .45 caliber pistol M1911 A1 with Serial Number 532861 with one piece magazine and six live ammunitions; 2 fragmentation grenades; one improvised explosive device (EID); and two pieces of ISIS flags.

CIDG provincial team leader Chief Insp. Francis Sonza said the suspects were among alleged members of the ISIS who are planning to conduct bombing activities in Davao City and General Santos City.

Digos City Regional Trial Court Branch 19 Executive Judge Carmelita Sarno Davin issued the search warrants against the suspects for violation of Republic Act 10591 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition Regulatory.  /kga