4 suspected Daulah Islamiyah members killed in Parañaque shootout

One of the black ISIS flags seized during a joint operation by the police and the military in Parañaque City. /NCRPO PIO

MANILA, Philippines — Four suspected terrorists linked to the ISIS-inspired Daulah Islamiyah group were killed in a shootout with police officers and soldiers in Parañaque City Friday morning.

A report from Parañaque police chief Col. Robin Sarmiento identified the four suspects as Bensaudi Sali, 37; Merhama Abdul Sawari, 40; Rasmin Hussin; and Jamal Kamiling.  Sarmiento said four suspects were allegedly linked to Daulah Islamiyah.

Sarmiento also noted that Sali is also a suspected member of the Abu Sayyaf Group.

Sarmiento said members of the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines went to Sali’s house in Barangay Don Bosco to serve the search warrant issued against Sali at 12:26 midnight. The three other suspects were also inside the house.

The warrant was issued by Parañaque Regional Trial Court Branch 258 for violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

The operation resulted in the shootout, police said.

Sarmiento said Police Corporal Ehrol Gamboa, assigned at the Regional Special Operations Group of the National Capital Region Police Office, was wounded in the shootout.

Seized from the suspects were three blasting caps, wires, suspected explosives, two caliber .45 pistols with magazines and ammunition, two black ISIS flags, two hand grenades, an M16 rifle, and an electric match.

In a separate report, National Capital Region Police Office chief Major Gen. Debold Sinas said the four suspects were tagged as the financial conduits of Daesh-East Asia because of their connection with Daulah Islamiyah bomb expert Mundi Sawadjaan, who helped plan the Jolo Cathedral bombing in January 2019.

/MUF