A MEMBER of the terrorist group Daulah Islamiyah was killed while another was arrested after a firefight with government troops in M’lang town in Cotabato on Wednesday morning.
The Army’s 6th Infantry Division said the two suspects were behind the May 26 bombings in Koronadal City in South Cotabato and Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat.
The bombing in Koronadal City targeted a passenger bus, leaving a tricycle driver injured.
The attack in Tacurong City occurred at a bus terminal with no injuries or deaths.
Soldiers, augmented by policemen, were conducting operations in Purok 7, Barangay Dunguan in M’lang when they clashed with the Daulah Islamiyah (DI) members at around 5 a.m.
The 30-minute firefight led to the death of Monir Lintuan and arrest of Randy Saro, alias Bobong, both members of the DI-Maguid Group which is associated with the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.
Col. Jovencio Gonzales, commander of the Army’s 602nd Brigade, said the suspects were also involved in recent bombings in Maguindanao and in North Cotabato.
Gonzales said the military launched the “manhunt operations” after it tracked down the suspects through “intensified intelligence gathering.”
