Sultan kudarat: Elite police officers from the Special Action Force (SAF) arrested an alleged bombmaker of the Dawlah Islamiyah (DI)-Hassan Group during an operation in Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Wednesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez revealed that the five-hour operation, which began on Tuesday night, was executed following the confirmed presence of JB Mastura, also known as Abu Naim, at his hideout in Barangay Ligao. The SAF commandos, armed with arrest warrants for multiple murder, destructive arson, and violation of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, secured the area and raided the hideout, seizing an improvised explosive device.

The suspect is currently under the custody of Palimbang Municipal Police Station and is set to be presented before the Regional Trial Court Branch 13 in Cotabato City, which issued the three arrest warrants back in 2021. Police and military intelligence have identified Mastura as a bomb/improvised explosive device (IED) maker for the DI-Hassan Group, and he is ranked No. 9 on the PNP’s most wanted list for the fourth quarter of this year.

Lt. Gen. Nartatez emphasized that apprehending one terrorist significantly contributes to the safety of the public. He also noted the PNP’s ongoing efforts to enhance cooperation with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other law enforcement agencies in targeting high-value individuals from significant threat groups, particularly in Mindanao.