Alleged leader of Islamic State-inspired group, brother slain in South Cotabato

KORONADAL CITY –– An alleged leader of an Islamic State-inspired local terror group and his brother were killed in a joint military and police operation in Surallah, South Cotabato, officials said on Thursday.

Jeoffrey Nilong, also known as Momoy, leader of Dawlah Islamiyah–Soccsksargen, and his younger brother Amen Nilong, a member of the group, were killed Wednesday morning.

This was after they eluded a checkpoint set up by the police in Barangay Lamsugod, according to Col. Jemuel Siason, South Cotabato police director. The police were tipped off about the duo’s movement.

The suspects fired at the troops, who were pursuing them, resulting in an exchange of gunfire that resulted in the death of the suspects, Siason said.

Jeoffrey allegedly masterminded the 2018 bombing in General Santos that wounded eight people. The police said he was also involved in robbery, extortion, and kidnapping activities.

Siason described the Nilong Group as a remnant of Ansar Al-Khilafah Philippines, whose leader Mohammad Jaafar Maguid, alias Commander Tokboy, was killed in Kiamba, Sarangani province in 2017.

As the most wanted person in South Cotabato, Jeoffrey was also allegedly involved in one of the bombings in Davao City, Siason said.

Since last year, Siason said authorities had been hot on the trail of Jeoffrey, who was considered a “high-value target.”

Major Gen. Juvymax Uy, Joint Task Force Central commander, said the Nilong Group was also responsible for the series of bombings in Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat provinces.

Uy said troops recovered from the slain suspects a backpack containing four improvised explosive devices, five improvised blasting caps, one improvised grenade, one remote control, six motorcycle alarms, one battery connector, two light testers, and one complete circuit soldering lid.

LZB