JOINT military and police forces have arrested a mid-level leader of the Daulah Islamiyah in the province of Maguindanao, military officials announced Saturday, August 14, 2021.
Arrested around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 11, was Kalid Andalani Kalaing, alias Kumander Kalid of the Daulah Islamiyah-Maguid group, according to Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan, Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom).
Vinluan said the joint elements of the 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion, Shariff Aguak Municipal Police Station, and 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company were on checkpoint operation when they arrested Kalaing at Lining Patrol Base in Labu Labu village, Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao.
Colonel Pedro Balisi, commander of 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade, said at the time of his arrest, Kalaing was heading from Cotabato to Isulan, Sultan Kudarat onboard a white pick-up truck.
Balisi said Kalaing was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest for the crime of carnapping with homicide dated June 13, 2019, issued by the court of Isulan.
Kalaing was placed under the custody of the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company, Maguindanao Provincial Police Office, for the filing of appropriate charges.
“With all the positive results of our combined operations, Joint Task Force (JTF)-Central will continue to assist our partners from the police and other law enforcement agencies to deter unlawful activities in our area of operation,” said Major General Juvymax Uy, JTF-Central commander.
Uy alerted all patrol bases against possible retaliation by Kalaing’s cohorts.
“My congratulations to the troops of JTF Central,” Vinluan said.
“May your multifarious achievements be an inspiration to all as we bolster our serious efforts to defeat the terrorists and lawless elements here in Mindanao,” he added.
Since January, a total of 26 Daulah Islamiyah personalities were neutralized in Central Mindanao, of whom four were apprehended, one surrendered, and 21 were killed. (SunStar Zamboanga)