AN ALLEGED bomb expert of the Maute terror group was killed in a shootout with a joint police-military team before dawn on Monday, July 16, in General Santos City, a police official said.

Najiv Calimba Pundong, also known as Najiv Hussein, was killed in a raid conducted by the police in his hide-out in Barangay Fatima, Uhaw, General Santos City around 2:30 a.m. Monday.

General Santos City police director Senior Superintendent Raul Supiter said Pundong, who has a standing arrest warrant issued by Judicial Branch 11 in Malabang, Lanao del Sur for kidnapping and serious illegal detention, allegedly fired shots at the police. This led to a shootout.

Also wounded in the shootout was Police Officer 3 Jerry Feo of the Police Regional mobile force battalion who obtained a gunshot wound in his back.

Recovered from Pundong was a Glock .45 caliber pistol, black ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) flag, two hand grenades and bomb-making materials.

Pundong, an expert in making of improvised explosive device, allegedly slipped out of Marawi City while fighting between the Maute group and government troopers was ongoing.

His name is included in the Arrest Order No. 1 issued by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana in 2017, shortly after the entire Mindanao region was placed under martial law. (SunStar Philippines)