A MEMBER of the Dawlah Islamiya (DI) was arrested by government troops in the province of Maguindanao del Sur, the police reported.

The Area Police Command-Western Mindanao (APC-WM) identified the arrested DI-Hassan Group as Mohamid Ali Paglas, 28, a resident of Batulawan village, Pikit, North Cotabato.

The APC-WM said that Paglas was arrested by soldiers around 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 22, in Tugal village, Sultan Sa Barongis, Maguindanao del Sur.

The police said the troops of the Army’s 14th Mechanized Company were conducting checkpoint when they arrested Paglas was arrested in possession of an improvised explosive device.

Recovered from the possession of the suspect were a caliber .45 pistol with ammunition, ammunition for Garand rifle, an improvised explosive device, and a uniform of Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces.

Investigation showed that Ali together with his wife and son escaped from the ongoing focused military operation against Islamic State for Iraq and Syria (Isis)-inspired group at the marshland tri-boundaries of Pikit, Pagalungan and Montawal towns. (SunStar Zamboanga)