TACURONG CITY , Philippines — Seven suspected terrorists were killed in an alleged shootout with government security forces during a raid in Datu Paglas, Maguindanao del Sur before dawn yesterday.
Reports said the suspects refused to have their alleged hideout searched for firearms and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Officers of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region police and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) reportedly retaliated when the suspects fired at them as they surrounded the area, according to separate statements of Brig. Gen. Allan Nobleza and Col. Roel Sermese, chiefs of the BAR and Maguindanao del Sur police, respectively.
Backed by soldiers, the team was out to arrest Nasser Yusseff Husain and his brother Norjihad, also known as Datdat Usop and Tutin Usop, respectively, as well as search the suspects’ hideout for firearms and IEDs.
Local officials in Maguindanao del Sur and Cotabato confirmed that the Husains and their followers were involved in bomb attacks on buses and power towers in Central Mindanao from 2010 to 2017.
Aside from the Husain brothers, those killed were Mamex Karem, Dela Singkala, Morsid Madidis, Jerry Pagugunang and his brother Punpugay.
Nobleza said the operation was launched following information that the suspects had been spotted in the area since Friday.
Members of multisectoral peace and order councils said the suspects were involved in the six-hour siege started by the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in Datu Paglas in May 2021.
The BIFF intended to show their force after 176 of their members surrendered to auhorities months earlier.