Mindanao security tightened

DAVAO CITY , Philippines  – Authorities have tightened security in at least five provinces in Northern Mindanao due to the alleged presence of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) militants in the region.

The Northern Mindanao regional police office has implemented tighter security measures following the encounter between government forces and suspected JI militants in Marawi City late Friday.

The encounter reportedly resulted in the killing of one Indonesian identified as Ustadz Sanusi, also known as ‘Ishak,’ who died upon arrival at the Marawi City Hospital.

Sanusi was believed to be a member of the JI terror cell operating in Mindanao.

Sanusi reportedly had seven other militants with him who escaped following the encounter with the military in Marawi City.

Mindanao has been considered as operations center of the JI with Singapore and Malaysia as financial centers and Indonesia as its main base.

JI members were reported to have freely entered Mindanao by boat through the porous coastlines in the south.