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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Cops arrest bomb expert of Dawlah Islmiyah-Hassan Group in Sultan Kudarat

Cops arrest bomb expert of Dawlah Islmiyah-Hassan Group in Sultan Kudarat

Published Oct 29, 2025 04:31 pm
A SAG commando secures an alleged bomb-making expert of Dawlah Islamiyah-Hassan Group during an overnight operation in Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat that started at 11 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. (photo: PNP)
A SAG commando secures an alleged bomb-making expert of Dawlah Islamiyah-Hassan Group during an overnight operation in Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat that started at 11 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. (photo: PNP)
Elite policemen from the Special Action Force (SAF) arrested a suspected bombmaker of the Dawlah Islamiyah- Hassan Group during an operation in Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat.
Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr., acting chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said the operation started at around 11 p.m. on Tuesday when police intelligence agents confirmed the presence of JB Mastura, also known as Abu Naim, in his hideout in Barangay Ligao.
Mastura was identified by police and military intelligence as a bomb/IED (improvised explosive device) maker of the DI-Hassan Group. He is listed as number 9 in the most wanted list for the 4th quarter of this year.
Armed with arrest warrants for cases that include multiple murder and violation of the Anti-Terrorism Act, SAF commandos then swooped down on the hideout of Mastura.
He was arrested in the operation that ended at around 4 a.m. the following day. Seized from him was an improvised explosive device.
“This wanted person was arrested after a five-hour operation that started on Tuesday night. I commend our SAF personnel for their hard work and dedication to account for this person who was confirmed to be an IED-making expert,” said Nartatez.
“This is a job well done. One less terrorist means a lot in our effort to ensure the safety of everybody,” he added.
Nartatez assured the public of the continuous efforts of the PNP to run after those who threaten peace and order in the country, adding that they are further strengthening cooperation with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and other law enforcement agencies in the campaign against high-value targets from big threat groups, especially in Mindanao.
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