FOUR alleged members of the ISIS-inspired Daulah Islamiyah terrorist group were killed in a joint police-military operations in Barangay Basa in T’Boli, South Cotabato, the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) said on Friday, January 22, 2021.
Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan Jr., Westmincom commander, said government forces were serving an arrest warrant against Daulah Islamiyah-Maguid Group member Russel Mamo when they encountered armed men at around 5 a.m. Thursday, January 21.
The confrontation lasted for about 20 minutes and enemies scampered in different directions, said Vinluan.
Lieutenant Colonel Alaric delos Santos, AFP Westmincom spokesperson, identified the four fatalities as Harudin Macabangin, Norhan Macabangin, Baharan Macabangin, and Moin Macabangin.
Delos Santos said they were followers of group leader Tadoy, who has a standing arrest warrant for murder.
“All of them are not listed in our periodic status report and we will just give further details about the apprehended personalities after the investigation,” Lieutenant Colonel Randy Banaag, commanding officer of the 5th Special Forces Battalion, said.
Recovered during the operation were various firearms and improvised explosive devices. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo / SunStar Philippines)