3 suspected ISIS supporters killed in Sarangani encounter

DAVAO CITY — Three members of the terrorist group Ansar Al Khilafah Philippines (AKP), believed to have links to the international terror group ISIS, were killed in a joint operation by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) Saturday afternoon in Sitio Lebe, Brgy. Daliao, Maasim, Sarangani Province, the AFP said in a statement.

The AFP and PNP personnel recovered the bodies of three unidentified AKP members, one carbine rifle, one unit M79 grenade launcher, one rifle scope, a black flag with ISIS logo and an empty shell of M203 grenade ammunition.

Residents reported the presence of the armed group, numbering around 17, to authorities.

Some of the armed men were reportedly foreign nationals.

Prior to the encounter, authorities also arrested Mustapha Gansing, who yielded a loaded Uzi machine pistol and various documents containing IED diagram lectures.

“The President is serious in dealing with ISIS or Daesh that is trwying to enter our country. This is the reason why the AFP and the PNP jointly conducted this counter terrorism operations to eliminate this threat that endangers the safety and well-being of the residents of Maasim and the neighboring municipalities of Sarangani Province,” said Brigadier General Ronald Villanueva, commander of 1002nd Infantry “Bagwis” Brigade.