From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 13, 2020): 6 terror group members slain, 2 cops hurt in SoCot clash (By Richelyn Gubalani)
Google map of Polomolok, South Cotabato.
An alleged sub-leader and five other members of an Islamic State-inspired local terrorist group were killed, while two police Special Action Force (SAF) troopers were wounded in an encounter in the South Cotabato town of Polomolok on Friday.
Col. Jemuel Siason, South Cotabato police director, said the clash ensued during the serving of a warrant of arrest past 5 a.m. against murder suspect Arafat Bulacon, 34, in Barangay Koronadal Proper, Polomolok.
Siason said Bulacon and his unidentified cohorts opened fire at the operating team using high-powered firearms as they were approaching the area.
This prompted the team--consisting of the Philippine National Police-SAF, Army Special Forces, and intelligence units--to retaliate, he said.
Recovered at the scene were a caliber 5.56 M4 rifle, two 12-gauge shotguns, two .38-caliber revolvers, a 5.56 pistol, an improvised explosive device, and a flag of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria or ISIS.
The five other slain suspects' identities, who were considered “high-value criminals,” were not yet released as of 3 p.m. due to the ongoing verification.
Two SAF troopers identified as Cpl. Bryan Cabreros and Pat. Ronald Nipalam sustained wounds during the encounter but were declared “out of danger,” Siason said.
The police official said Bulacon--who had two arrest warrants for murder--and the five other slain suspects are part of a terrorist cell of the Dawlah Islamiya-Maguid Group in the area.
He said Bulacon was a sub-leader of the group and vying to replace its late leader, Jeffrey Nilong, who was killed in an encounter with police and Army personnel in Surallah town last September.
“He is considered as among the pillars of the terrorist group and had been reportedly trying to consolidate their remaining members,” Siason said in an interview.
He said Bulacon was among those involved in the September 2018 bombing near a lying-in clinic here that injured eight people.
The group was also involved in the illegal drug trade, robbery extortion, gun-for-hire, and other criminal activities, he added.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1121734
Col. Jemuel Siason, South Cotabato police director, said the clash ensued during the serving of a warrant of arrest past 5 a.m. against murder suspect Arafat Bulacon, 34, in Barangay Koronadal Proper, Polomolok.
Siason said Bulacon and his unidentified cohorts opened fire at the operating team using high-powered firearms as they were approaching the area.
This prompted the team--consisting of the Philippine National Police-SAF, Army Special Forces, and intelligence units--to retaliate, he said.
Recovered at the scene were a caliber 5.56 M4 rifle, two 12-gauge shotguns, two .38-caliber revolvers, a 5.56 pistol, an improvised explosive device, and a flag of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria or ISIS.
The five other slain suspects' identities, who were considered “high-value criminals,” were not yet released as of 3 p.m. due to the ongoing verification.
Two SAF troopers identified as Cpl. Bryan Cabreros and Pat. Ronald Nipalam sustained wounds during the encounter but were declared “out of danger,” Siason said.
The police official said Bulacon--who had two arrest warrants for murder--and the five other slain suspects are part of a terrorist cell of the Dawlah Islamiya-Maguid Group in the area.
He said Bulacon was a sub-leader of the group and vying to replace its late leader, Jeffrey Nilong, who was killed in an encounter with police and Army personnel in Surallah town last September.
“He is considered as among the pillars of the terrorist group and had been reportedly trying to consolidate their remaining members,” Siason said in an interview.
He said Bulacon was among those involved in the September 2018 bombing near a lying-in clinic here that injured eight people.
The group was also involved in the illegal drug trade, robbery extortion, gun-for-hire, and other criminal activities, he added.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1121734
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