Bomb expert linked to Maute group killed in GenSan police operations

KORONADAL CITY – A bomb expert identified with the Maute terrorist group was killed during police operations before dawn on Monday in Gen. Santos City, police said.

A police officer was injured when the suspect traded shots with lawmen during the 2:30 a.m. raid in Barangay Fatima, Gen. Santos City.

Senior Supt. Raul Supiter, Gen. Santos City police director, identified the slain expert in making improvised explosive device (IED) as Najiv Calimba Pundong, alias Najiv Hussein, a resident of Zone 3, Block 5, Barangay Fatima, Uhaw, Gen. Santos City.

Chief Supt. Marcelo Morales, police regional director for Region 12, said Pundong was listed in the Department of National Defense (DND) arrest order No. 1 and was known to be a member of Maute terrorist group under Commander Abu Dar.

Morales said joint police and military operatives were to serve warrants of arrest against Pundong when he opened fire on law enforcers. PO3 Jerry Feo of the Police Regional Mobiel Force Battalion was injured in the shootout.

Feo sustained four gunshot wounds on his back and is now undergoing surgical operation at a private hospital in General Santos City.

Seized from slain bomb maker was a glock .45 caliber pistol, black ISIS flag, two hand grenades, bomb-making materials, and a Mitsubishi sedan.