KIDAPAWAN CITY – A suspected bomber was killed in an encounter between Dawlah Islamiya (DI) terrorists and government troops in Barangay Saliao in Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat.
The Public Affairs Office (PAO) of the Sixth Infantry Division (6th ID) identified the suspect as Jazzer Nilong, believed to be a sub-leader of the DI terrorist group whose area of operations included the provinces of Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao in Central Mindanao.
The DPAO reports said Nilong, also known in his area as Khlaid, was killed after he engaged the government troops in a running gun battle in Barangay Saliao.
The military unit said Nilong had been under its tight watch and surveillance after it received reports that the suspect and his cohorts were seen roaming freely in the area.
The armed encounter between 6th ID troops and Nilong’s group lasted for 20 minutes, according to the 6th ID PAO.
Meanwhile, six high-powered firearms were confiscated on Sunday in a joint police and military raid in a remote village in Matalam, North Cotabato, Army reports said.
Reports from the 6th ID PAO said the guns were seized after elements of the 90th Infantry Battalion conducted focused-military operations in the area. Some police personnel from the Matalam Police joined the raid, reports added.
Seized were two Garand rifles with six clips of ammunition, an M-16 assault rifle with long magazine loaded with 28 ammunition, two caliber .45 pistols with four magazines loaded with 31 ammunition, and a Carbine rifle with two magazines loaded with 22 serviceable ammunition.
Major General Juviemax Uy, commanding officer of the 6th ID, assured residents that the Army will continue to secure them from terror groups operating in the area.
Remote areas in Matalam town, especially those situated on the mountain ranges of Mount Apo and Bukidnon, are believed to be hot sports of the New Peoples’ Army (NPA).