Indonesian terror suspect dies in clash

MANILA, Philippines—A suspected member of the terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) died on Thursday night after he was shot during pursuit operations by arresting authorities in Marawi City, the Philippine Army’s First Division said in a statement on Friday.

The military identified the suspected terrorist as Ustadz Sanusi or Ishak, an Indonesian national, who had been charged with arson and murder.

Joint elements from the 103rd Infantry Brigade of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division and the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) enforced an arrest warrant against Sanusi and six other suspected JI terrorists inside the state-run Mindanao State University compound in Barrio Salam.

The statement said the joint operation “progressed into a pursuit” during which Sanusi was shot “during the commotion that ensued.” Police recovered a hand grenade and an M16 rifle from the suspect.

Sanusi was rushed to the Amai Pakpak Hospital but succumbed to a gunshot wound.

A PNP-SAF member was also injured after falling from a building during the brief pursuit operations.

The six other suspects—whose nationalities were not immediately known—escaped during the joint police and military operation.

Army Commander Maj. Gen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, head of the Army’s First Division, ordered the ground troops to continue their pursuit operations with the PNP.

“In the spirit of bayanihan, we can assure our people that the joint Army-PNP pursuit operations against bad elements and those who disturb peace in our area shall go without let up,” Cruz said.

According to Capt. Alberto Caber of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division, the warrants of arrest were issued by the 11th Judicial Region Regional Trial Court Judge Oscar P. Noel Jr. based in Mansion, Saranggani province. With a report from Tito Fiel, Inquirer Mindanao