'47 TERRORISTS NEUTRALIZED': AFP checking report 'dangerous' JI operative killed in Maguindanao offensive

From GMA News (Mar 18): '47 TERRORISTS NEUTRALIZED': AFP checking report 'dangerous' JI operative killed in Maguindanao offensive

The military's Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) on Saturday said it is verifying reports that a suspected foreign terrorist was killed in a series of assaults against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) early this week in Maguindanao.

Westmincom spokesperson Capt. Jo-Ann Petinglay said in a statement that there are "persistent" reports that Indian-Singaporean terrorist Mohammad Ali bin Abdulrahman alias Muawiyah were among the 21 terrorists killed in air and ground assaults launched by the military in known lairs of the BIFF in Barangay Tee in Datu Salibo town from March 13 to 16.

Abdulrahman had reportedly acted as a negotiator for the Abu Sayyaf group and known as a "dangerous" operative of the Jemaah Islamiyah.

Petinglay said that also reported killed in the air and ground assaults were Salahuddin Hassan, a local terrorist and bomber trained by Abdulrahman and Esmael Abdulmalik alias Abu Toraype, a brigade commander of the BIFF.

"Validations are being made on the ground on the persistent reports that these terrorists were killed in the well-planned, well-coordinated, and well-executed massive air and ground operations," the military spokesperson said in the statement.

Marwan cohorts
She said that Abdulrahman and the two local terrorists were cohorts of terror suspect Marwan, who had been confirmed killed by Special Action Force elite troopers in Mamasapano town on January 2016.

Petinglay said in the statement, quoting a report from Joint Task Force Central Brig. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, that 26 suspected terrorists were wounded in the four-day military offensive in Barangay Tee.

Recovered during the operations were bomb-making manuals, five improvised explosive devices and several IED components.

"The recovery from the area of manuals of IED-making indicates that the slain terrorists were giving instructions on how to assemble explosive devices and launch bombing attacks," she said.

Petinglay said that Abulrahman's group had also provided training for new recruits, including members of local terror Maute group based in Lanao.

She also reported that troops also recovered five firearms following an encounter with Abdulrahman's group in Barangay Pidsandawan in Rajah Buayan town at around 2 a.m.

Shabu

Petinglay, meanwhile, said that Joint Task Force Central soldiers seized P1 million worth of shabu during a joint operation with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the North Cotabato police in Barangay Dalingaoen in Pikit town on Friday morning.

Eleven people, including "high-value" target Mangiging Pandian, were arrested during the operation.

Also seized during the operation were one .45 pistol, three stolen vehicles, P28,000 cash and several cellphones.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/603784/news/nation/afp-checking-report-dangerous-ji-operative-killed-in-maguindanao-offensive