IS-linked gunman killed in Marawi City police operation

Map of Lanao del Sur. INQUIRER FILES

PARANG, Maguindanao del Norte — Police operatives in Lanao del Sur killed on Wednesday afternoon a most wanted person in the province who is believed to be linked to the Maute terrorist group.

Authorities said that the suspect resisted arrest by firing at law enforcers who were implementing warrants for his arrest in Marawi City.

Lanao del Sur Police Provincial Director Col. Robert Daculan said Mohammad Isah Alimondaya, alias “Wasab,” of Masiu town, fired at approaching lawmen in his safe house in Barangay Dulay West, Marawi City.

Alimondaya is No. 4 on the list of wanted persons n the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and No. 1 in Lanao del Sur and in Masiu municipality, Daculan said.

“The accused, Mohammad Isah Alimondaya, is a supporter of ISIS who is allegedly involved in illegal drugs and gun trafficking in Lanao del Sur province and some areas of Maguindanao province,” Daculan added.

During the brief firefight, Alimondaya was injured and was rushed by police operatives to the Amai Pakpak Medical Center for treatment but was later pronounced dead by physicians.

Police found one caliber .45 pistol, a caliber .22 revolver, a hand grenade, and bullets in Alimondaya’s house.

Daculan said Alimondaya has been a fugitive for his crimes of murder and frustrated murder, for which warrants were issued against him both by the Regional Trial Court in Marawi City, on December 28, 2020, and November 19, 2020, respectively.

He added that Alimondaya was implicated in the 2018 ambush of Masiu Mayor JR Pangandaman and his convoy that led to the death of one police officer and the injury of several others.

Relatives claimed the remains of Alimondaya for burial according to Islamic tradition.

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