TWO alleged leaders of a terrorist group who were believed to be plotting attacks in key areas in Davao region were killed during a joint operation on Sunday evening, October 14 in Barangay Aplaya, Hagonoy, Davao del Sur.
In an interview with SunStar Davao Monday, Police Regional Office (PRO 11) regional director Police Chief Superintendent Marcelo Morales said they placed the slain terrorists under surveillance before they stormed the hideout in Hagonoy town.
“Target of opportunity ang ginagawa nila kung sino yong target don sila mag i-istrike kaya possible target nila is Davao City (What they were doing is called target of opportunity. Whoever or whatever their target is, they will strike there. That is why Davao City is a possible target of theirs),” Morales said.
The targets of the joint operation were Norhan Delangalen Sinapan and his brother Norton Delangalen Sinapan, the alleged leader of Dawlah Islamiya, a sympathizer of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) Digos cell. They were killed after they put up resistance against the arresting team.
“Actually joint effort ito ng AFP at PNP and nagkataon nagkaroon ng magandang breakthrough ‘yong ating counterparts from the AFP kaya nag launch tayo ng police operation to neutralize itong mga subject natin na members ng terrorist group,” Morales added.
He said this group has been in Davao del Sur for quite a while.
Based on the report, authorities implemented the search warrant against these individuals for violation of RA 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regultation Act after receiving intelligence reports of their activities.
The incident was carried out at about 11:20 p.m. by the combined elements of Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), Davao del Sur Provincial Field Unit, Provincial Intelligence Branch-Davao del Sur Provincial Police Office (PIB-DSPPO).
Authorities recovered one unit Caliber 45. pistol M1911 A1 US ARMY with Serial Number 532861 with one piece magazine and six live ammunition; three pieces fired cartridge cases of cal 45; one piece fired cartridge case of caliber 9mm; two pieces fragmentation grenade; one unit IED component; two pieces ISIS banner/ flag; one piece racine belt bag; and one piece sling bag.