The war materials seized from an IS-affiliated group in Maguindanao, and one of the suspects nabbed during focused law enforcement operations in Mlang, Cotabato. (Army photos)
CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao––Military authorities today announced the death of a suspected terror group member believed to be behind the bombings in central Mindanao.
Another Dawlah Islamiya (DI) terrorist group member was also arrested.
Lt. Colonel Rommel Mundala, commander of the Army’s 90th Infantry Battalion, said the joint police and military operations Wednesday morning in Mlang town, Cotabato province led to the killing of a certain Monir Lintukan and the arrest of his companion, identified as Randy Saro.
Government forces recovered from Saro and the slain gunman assorted firearms, bullets, and improvised bombs, Mundala added.
The operation was launched in Barangay Dungguan after intelligence agents confirmed the presence of the two suspects in the marshland area, according to Colonel Jovencio Gonzales, 602nd Infantry Brigade commander.
Citing intelligence information, Gonzales said the suspects were involved in the recent bus bombing in Koronadal City, the blast in Tacurong City, and the previous bomb attacks in Mlang and Aleosan towns of Cotabato, and the one in Parang, Maguindanao.
The war materials seized from an IS-affiliated group in Maguindanao, and one of the suspects nabbed during focused law enforcement operations in Mlang, Cotabato. (Army photos)
The two reportedly belonged to the DI faction headed by Commanders Almoben Camen Sebod and Omal Kamsa, a member of the Islamic State-affiliated Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.
A passenger of the bombed Yellow Bus Line has claimed that she saw a man boarding the bus in Mlang, Cotabato, and was seated at the rearmost part of the bus.
She believed the man carried the bomb that exploded on May 26 while they were traversing a busy road in Koronadal City.
Brigadier General Eduardo Gubat, 6th Infantry Division commander, assured the public that the military would continue pursuit operations against terrorists operating in Central Mindanao.
He lauded the operating troops and directed them to maintain an offensive stance against local terrorists hiding in the marshland of Maguindanao.