GENERAL SANTOS CITY- Two suspected members of the Dawlah Islamiyah terror group were killed while another was arrested by security forces, who launched simultaneous law enforcement operations in Polomolok, South Cotabato last Saturday.
Polomolok Police Chief Lt. Col. Alex Joe Orcajada identified the slain suspects as Mohammad Abdul Basier Bin Paucan and Ricky Maguisulan, while their arrested cohort was identified as Abdul Rashid Maranguit.
He said Paucan was killed after he reportedly shot it out with police and military operatives, who raided his house in Barangay Rubber, Polomolok, while Maguisulan was slain after he resisted arrest during a separate raid on his residence in Barangay Koronadal Proper.
Security forces, on the other hand, arrested Maranguit during a raid on his house in Barangay Magsaysay where the raiding team seized several grams of shabu from the suspect.
Police said they found in Paucan’s house a 20-gauge homemade pistol and several grams of shabu, while the raiding team seized two rifle grenades, a .45 caliber pistol and several grams of shabu in the raid on the house of Maguisulan in Barangay Koronadal Proper.
Police said the suspects were reportedly members of Dawlah Islamiyah terror group under its sub-leader Abu Omar operating in Region 12 or Soccskargen.
Authorities tagged the local terror group as responsible for the killing of Patrolman Bryan Costelo and Corporal Witzel Russ Betantos, both assigned with the Polomolok police station, who were waylaid while conducting security patrol in Barangay KoroNadal Proper, Polomolok last April 29.
The group was also tagged in the killing of P/Senior Inspector Herman Gabat, Polomolok deputy police chief in 2017.
Police said the local terror group was also responsible for the bomb attack outside the lying-in clinic in Barangay Apopong, here in September 2018 which injured eight people including a minor.
Authorities said the local terror group was involved in criminal activities, including illegal drug trade, carnapping and gun-for-hire as means to raise operational funds for the organization.