Philippines announces capture of ISIS bomber

From the Mindanao Examiner (Jan 18, 2023): Philippines announces capture of ISIS bomber

COTABATO CITY - Philippine security forces captured a local ISIS bomber blamed for the series of attacks on civilian targets in the restive southern region of Mindanao.



Caption: The military's Western Mindanao Command releases photos of captured ISIS bomber, Jordan Akmad, following his arrest on Tuesday, January 18, 2023 in North Cotabato's President Roxas town.



Security officials said police commandos, backed by soldiers, swooped down on a terrorist hideout in North Cotabato’s President Roxas town and captured Jordan Akmad at dawn Tuesday, January 17.

Marine Brig. Gen. Arturo Rojas, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, branded the capture of the bomber as a “remarkable accomplishment” in the war against terror.

“I commend the troops of Joint Task Force Central for this remarkable accomplishment. The Western Mindanao Command, through its joint task forces, will continue to work with our partners from the PNP and other security agencies to keep the communities safe and free from violence,” he said.

Akmad was tracked down by security forces in his hideout in Salat village and the operation involved a sizable number of soldiers and police commandos, with the military mobilizing the 90th and 72nd Infantry Battalions, the 1st Scout Ranger Battalion, and various intelligence units.

This was confirmed by Maj. Gen. Roy Galido, commander of the Joint Task Force Central, responsible for Akmad’s capture. He said Akmad is a notorious bomb maker and member of the Daulah Islamiyah, which means Islamic State.

Galido implicated Akmad in numerous murders and deadly bombings and burning of provincial buses in Davao City, Kabacan, Mlang, and Tulunan towns in North Cotabato the past year, and is one of the most wanted terrorists in the country.

Galido nor Rojas did not release details of the highly classified operations that led to Akmad’s arrest citing security concerns and the continuing hunt for other terrorists. (Mindanao Examiner)

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