Four Filipinos with alleged IS links arrested
Firearms and drugs seized from the suspects.
SOUTH COTABATO: Four Filipinos with alleged links to a pro-Islamic State terror group were arrested by Philippine authorities in the southern province of South Cotabato on Sunday (Sept. 17).
Combined forces of the police and military made the arrests in Sitio Bunawan, Polonuling village, Tupi municipality, according to a statement from the Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID).
Brigadier General Andre Santos, the 1st Mechanised Brigade commander, said the combined forces, carrying an arrest warrant, raided the hideout of one Rex Solaiman @ Latif, the alleged leader of an armed lawless group and supporter of Dawlah Islamiyah-Maguid Group.
Dawlah Islamiyah is a umbrella term used to describe local terror groups aligned with the Islamic State terror group in the Philippines.
Solaiman, the subject of the warrant, escaped, but four of his alleged accomplices identified as Angelo Abul, Melvin Ditan, John Ditan and Gabriel Palucan, all residents of Polonuling village, were arrested.
The government troops recovered from them one improvised cal .45 home-made Thompson rifle and its magazine with ammunition, one cal .38 revolver pistol with ammunition, a grenade, drugs and their paraphernalia.
Major General Alex Rillera, the commander of the Joint Task Force Central and 6ID, praised the quick response of the military, police and the local government of South Cotabato in the case.