KORONADAL CITY – Four suspected members of ISIS-inspired local terror group were killed Thursday after they shot it out with security forces in Tboli, South Cotabato.
Brig. Gen. John Michael Dubria, Police Regional Office-12 director, said police and military operatives were about to implement the arrest warrant when the suspects fired upon them in Barangay Basag, T’boli, South Cotabato.
Dubria identified the slain suspects as Saadin Macabangin, Narjaid Macabangin, Baharan Macabangin, and Moen Macabangin.
The four were believed to be members of Dawlah Islamiyah-SOCCSKSARGEN Katiba terror group responsible for a string criminal activities including gun-for-hire, robbery, carnapping and illegal drugs.
The raiding team seized one Carbine rifle, two .45-caliber pistols and one fragmentation grenade.
The group was also said responsible for the gun-slaying of Pat. Bryan Costelo and Cpl. Witzel Russ Betantos, both assigned to Polomolok Police Station, who were waylaid while conducting security patrol in Barangay Koronadal Proper, Polomolok, South Cotabato on April 29, 2020.
It was also tagged in the killing of Senior Inspector Herman Gabat, Polomolok deputy police chief, four years ago.
The local terror group was also responsible for the bomb attack outside a lying-in clinic in Barangay Apopong, this city, in Sept. 2018 which wounded eight people, including a minor.
Col. Jemuel Siason, South Cotabato police director, said the local terror group was involved in criminal activities to raise operational funds for the organization.
