Police announce killing of 3 IS followers linked to drugs, bombings, attacks on cops

KORONADAL CITY—Police in the Soccsksargen region on Friday (July 31) announced the killing of three local Islamic State (IS) followers in separate operations in the town of Polomolok, South Cotabato in the past three days, two of which were against illegal drugs.

Lt. Col. Lino Capellan, spokesperson of the Soccsksargen police, said the three belonged to the so-called Hassan sub-group that is operating in the borders of South Cotabato and Sarangani provinces.

Capellan said the operations were conducted in collaboration with agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

One slain suspect was Dimas Aminola Talib, who opened fire at lawmen as he was about to sell crystal meth, or shabu, to an undercover operative last July 29.

Talib was declared dead in a local hospital.

Drug suspect Joven Cabalo also traded shots with policemen doing undercover work in a drug buy-bust operation last July 27.

Cabalo died while being rushed to the hospital.

Capellan said all three were linked to bombings and attacks against members of the Polomolok police office.

A third suspect slain was Jomari Doma who was arrested for robbery with homicide last July 28.

Capellan said that police officers shot Doma after he grabbed the pistol of one of his escorts aboard a police vehicle.

Police said the three suspects were linked to bombings in General Santos City and Polomolok town in South Cotabato.

Capellan said Talib was one of the two gunmen who killed two police officers last April 30.

TSB