Dawlah ‘bomb expert’ nabbed in Maguindanao

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — An alleged member of terrorist group Dawlah Islamiyah, tagged in a series of bombing and extortion incidents, has been arrested in General Salipada K. Pendatun town in Maguindanao del Sur, police reported yesterday.

The suspect was collared on Monday by a joint team of the police and naval intelligence unit in Barangay Midpandacan.

Reports received by Maj. Gen. Bernard Banac, chief of the Area Police Command-Western Mindanao, said the suspect was wanted for several atrocities in Soccsksargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos).

The suspect was reportedly behind a series of bomb attacks on bus companies that were staged in the region between 2007 and 2015.

Authorities withheld the identity of the suspect so as not to compromise police operations aimed at arresting his companions.

Police said the suspect has standing arrest warrants for four counts of attempted murder issued in December 2022 by a local court in North Cotabato.

The court recommended bail of P120,000 for each count.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group said the suspect was positively identified as a member of the Dawlah Islamiyah under the Hassan group and a former member of the Al-Khobar extortion group.