Maguindanao del sur: Eight suspected local terrorists were apprehended during a collaborative law enforcement operation conducted by military and police units in Maguindanao del Sur, as announced by an Army official.

According to Philippines News Agency, Brig. Gen. Edgar Catu, the commander of the Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade, reported that the arrests occurred Monday morning. The operation was initiated in response to tips from civilians regarding suspected extremists linked to the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and Dawlah Islamiyah (DI)-Hassan Group. The suspects were located in a remote village at the border of Shariff Aguak and Datu Unsay towns.

The joint operation involved Army battalions under the 601st Infantry Brigade and the Maguindanao del Sur Police Provincial Office. The successful arrests were made possible as the suspects were caught off-guard and surrendered without resistance when surrounded by government forces.

Currently, the eight suspects are detained at the Datu Unsay municipal police station, where police are in the process of preparing charges against them. The military also seized an M16A1 rifle, 207 rounds of ammunition, and mobile phones allegedly used by the suspects in their terror-related activities, such as extortion, ambushes, highway robberies, and attacks against government forces.

Brig. Gen. Catu highlighted the local populace’s fatigue with the violence and atrocities committed by the DI and BIFF, which motivated them to assist the police and military in apprehending these groups. Maj. Gen. Donald M. Gumiran, commander of the 6th Infantry Division and chief of Western Mindanao Command, commended both the operating units and the civilians for their efforts in combating lawlessness and terrorism in the region.