A member of the terrorist group Daulah Islamiyah (DI) was allegedly killed, and another was arrested in M’lang, Cotabato, on Wednesday, according to the military. The suspects are suspected of being behind the bombings in various places in Mindanao.
In a statement, the Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) identified the slain suspect as Monir Lintukan. At the same time, the arrested was identified as Randy Karon or “Bong,” allegedly a member of the DI Maguindanao Group.
The 602nd Infantry Brigade and Police Regional Office 12 pursued the suspects for the explosions in Parang, Maguindanao; Koronadal City, South Cotabato; and Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat.
According to Wesmincom, authorities encountered some DI members led by an Almoben Camen Sebod or Polok.
Sebod was also allegedly involved in extortion and other illegal activities, according to the military.
After the clash, authorities found Lintukan’s body.
According to the military, a 5.56mm M16 rifle, M16 magazine, improvised explosive device, and other items were also recovered at the encounter scene.
Mindanao bombings suspect killed in Cotabato; 1 arrested
On May 26, a tricycle driver was injured in an explosion that occurred inside a bus in Koronadal City, South Cotabato. On the same day, another explosion occurred in a vacant lot in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat.
Meanwhile, following two large explosions in the area Monday evening, the entire city of Isabela in Basilan province was placed on red alert.
The first bomb exploded after 5 p.m. on May 30 in the parking lot of a fast-food establishment in Isabela City proper.
The Western Mindanao Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) received CCTV footage of the incident but declined to release any other information.
Meanwhile, the second explosion occurred less than a kilometer away from the first bomb location, near a bus company’s garage.
The second bomb, which was allegedly caused by a box left inside the business, caused damage to many parked cars and a nearby store. The on-duty security guard was also hurt.
The perpetrators of the twin explosions have yet to be identified, but the blasts may be “isolated cases, according to the AFP.”
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