2 suspected Dawlah Islamiyah bomb experts nabbed in Maguindanao Sur
The war materiel seized by the military and police during a law enforcement operation in Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur on Monday, March 17, 2025. (Photos from Army’s 90IB)
COTABATO CITY — Government forces on Monday arrested two suspected local terrorists, who are said to be bomb-making experts, and seized from them high-powered firearms, explosives, and other war materiel during a joint police and military law enforcement operation in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao del Sur.
Lieutenant Colonel Loqui Marco, commanding officer of the Army’s 90th Infantry Battalion, said police and Army soldiers launched the operation in Barangay Kapinpilan that resulted in the arrest of Ali Kamsa and Justine Balugagosa, both members of the Dawlah Islamiyah-Hassan Group.
The war materiel seized by the military and police during a law enforcement operation in Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur on Monday, March 17, 2025. (Photos from Army’s 90IB)
Marco said both suspects are known to be highly skilled in fabricating improvised explosive devices (IEDs), who are listed in the Army’s order of battle as of last year.
When police and military forces served the warrant of arrest against Kamsa, he did not resist.
Government forces seized from them six assault rifles, two IEDs, ammunition, and a hand tractor they used in transporting war materiel.
The two suspected terrorists are now under police custody while the seized war materiel are kept by the 90th Infantry Battalion.
