DI leader, members arrested
The four young members of DI-Lanao were all operating under Juhari Sandab, alias Abu Morsid
ZAMBOANGA CITY — A leader of the Daulah Islamiyah in Lanao del Sur serving as the DI “Amirol Media” and three of his companions were arrested by soldiers while they were waiting for the delivery of food and other supplies coming from their supporters in Marugong town.
Joint Task Force ZamPeLan commander Brig. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete on Sunday narrated that soldiers of the 32nd Infantry Battalion nabbed the four in Barangay Pabrika, Marugong, Lanao del Sur on Thursday night.
Authorities identified the rebels as Abu Rasas, the Amirol Media head and one of the key leaders under Fajarudin Pumbaya Pangalian alias Abu Zacariah, the Amir of DI in the Philippines.
Also arrested were Saidi, the brother of DI-Lanao sub-leader Abu Sham and two minors aged 16 and 14.
The four young members of DI-Lanao were all operating under Juhari Sandab, alias Abu Morsid, Nafarrete said.
Seized from their possession were one 7.62mm M14 rifle, one 5.56mm M16A1 rifle, one 5.56mm R4 rifle, one 40mm M203 Grenade Launcher, one 7.62mm Springfield rifle, five improvised explosive devices, five 40mm Grenade Launcher ammunition, and assorted magazines and ammunition.
Reports disclosed that soldiers from the 32nd IB received information relayed to them by followers of Esmail Cosain, alias Kumander Delta about the presence of unidentified armed men in Barangay Pabrika in Marugong.
The soldiers immediately acted on the report together with five MILF members and while they were moving towards the area, they were able to sight a group of armed men who ran in different directions prompting the troops to chase them.
During initial interrogation, the four told the soldiers that they were waiting for food and other supplies coming from their supporters in the said area.
The soldiers immediately coordinated with the police in Marugong town for the filing of appropriate charges against the four DI-Lanao members.
Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Mindanao Command commander Lt. Gen. Roy Galido commended Nafarrete and the soldiers of the JTF-Z for their accomplishment as he also lauded the good relationship between the MILF and the military in the area, which resulted in the successful arrest of the four DI-Lanao gunmen.