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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Luzon devider S. Cotabato police tighten security vs local terror groups

S. Cotabato police tighten security vs local terror groups

Published Aug 7, 2020 03:45 pm

POLOMOLOK, South Cotabato – Police authorities have tightened security measures here amid threats from local terror group Dawlah Islamiyah, which has brought atrocities in communities.

Polomolok Police Chief Lt.Col. Alex Joe Orcajada said security measures were heightened in strategic areas of the municipality after suspected members of Dawlah Islamiyah killed a habal-habal motorcycle driver in Barangay Crossing Palkan last August 2.

Police said the victim, Elisito Planto, 59 was driving a motorcycle when waylaid by two gunmen identified as Prince Ja and Norman Madanguit, who were said to be remnants of the Ansar Al- Khilafah Philippines, a local terror group which pledged to allegiance to ISIS.

Police said the suspects also took the victim’s money amounting to P2,000.

Police authorities have launched manhunt operations against the suspects.

Police have also intensified law enforcement operations against a local terror group led by Jeoffrey Nilong, which was allegedly involved in criminal activities including, illegal drug trade, robbery and gun-for-hire.

At least three suspected members of the local terror group were killed in a series of law enforcement operations launched last week by security forces in the locality.

Among those killed was Tons Usman, brother of the late Basit Usman, a foreign-trained bomb expert of the Jemaah Islamiyah terror group. The slain suspect, who resisted arrest, was facing murder charges in connection with the 2018 bomb attack in General Santos City which wounded eight people.

 Police also killed two suspected members of the Dawlah Islamiyah, Dimas Talib and Tubin Cabalu who shot it out with police operatives conducting separate anti-drug operations.

The slain suspects were tagged in the killing of Senior Inspector Herman Gabat, Polomolok deputy police chief, in 2017, and with the ambush-slay of two policemen, Patrolam Bryan Costello  and Corporal Witzel Russ Betantos in Barangay Koronadal Proper here last April 29.  

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