TWO members of a terrorist group identified as a cell of the Islamic State (IS) in the country was killed on Thursday in a firefight with a joint team of policemen in Sarangani.
Supt. Romeo Galgo, Spokesman of the Central Mindanao police, said the clash with members of the Ansar Khilafa Philippines (AKP) happened at Sitio Bulat, Barangay Daliao, Maasim, Sarangani.
The predawn raid by policemen on the group of Mohammad Jaafar Maguid, alias Tokboy, resulted in the death of two members of the group whose identities were still being ascertained.
“The troops successfully overran and contained the stronghold of AKP after the firefight, which resulted to the death of two still unidentified AKP members,” Galgo said. “[Maguid] was able to escape and no one was hurt on the government side.”
The AKP has been identified by reports as one of three IS cells in the country. The government, however, consistently denied the Arab-based terrorist group’s presence in the Philippines.
Galgo said at least three firearms and an IS flag were taken from the AKP encampment when authorities scoured the area.
The firearms are one Barret rifle with two loaded magazines and two Carbine rifle with loaded magazines.
The policemen also took bomb-making materials, including two rounds of rocket- propelled grenade, three rounds of 60mm mortar, a firing wire, a 60-millimeter fuse, an IED (improvised explosive device) circuit, 2 kilos of black powder and two 9-volts batteries.
Meanwhile, the Armed Forces acting chief of staff Lt. Gen. Glorioso Miranda flew to Sulu on Wednesday to personally check the ongoing operations against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in the province.
President Aquino has earlier ordered the police and the military to rescue kidnap victims held by the local terrorist group.
On Monday the ASG beheaded one of their captives, Canadian John Ridsdel.
Military Spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said troops are on the trail of the kidnappers.
“Troops are hot on the tail of the KFRGs [kidnap for ransom groups] on the island aiming to rescue the remaining victims,” Padilla said.