AUTHORITIES have arrested four supporters of the Dawlah Islamiya (DI) in a law enforcement operation in the province of South Cotabato, a top military official said Tuesday, September 19, 2023.
Major General Steve Crespillo, commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said the four DI supporters were arrested in a law enforcement operation by way of service of warrant of arrest on Sunday in Sitio Bunawan, Polonuling village, Tupi, South Cotabato.
Crespillo identified the arrested DI supporters as Angelo Abul, Melvin Ditan, John Ditan, and Gabriel Palucan, all of legal ages.
Crespillo said the joint military and police arresting team seized from the four arrested suspects two Thompson rifles, a caliber .38 revolver, ammunition, a grenade and illegal drug paraphernalia.
But Crespillo said the leader of the group, Rex Soliman alias Latif, who was the subject of the arrest warrant, managed to elude arrest.
Crespillo said that Soliman's group is known supporter of DI-Maguid faction.
He said the arrested suspects and the pieces of evidences were turned over to the police of Tupi, South Cotabato.
He commended the operating troops for the accomplishment that led to the arrest of four DI supporters.
"Rest assured that we will continue to support our partners in the conduct of law enforcement operations to neutralize the menaces of society," he added. (SunStar Zamboanga)
