SULTAN KUDARAT – Nasakote ng mga kasapi ng Special Action Force (SAF) commandos ang sinasabing expert bomb maker ng Dawlah Islamiyah-Hassan Group matapos ang ilang oras na operasyon sa bayan ng Palimbang sa lalawigan, ayon kay Philippine National Police (PNP) acting chief, Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez.

Kinilala ni Nartatez ang nadakip na bomb expert na si JB Mastura, nakilala rin bilang si Abu Naim, na nakubkob sa kanyang hideout sa Barangay Ligao.

Sinasabing ang naaresto ay may standing warrant arrest sa kasong multiple murder, destructive arson, at paglabag sa Anti-Terrorism Act of 2022.

Si Mastura ay natukoy ng police at military intelligence bilang isang bomb and improvised explosive device (IED) maker ng Dawlah Islamiyah. At nakatala bilang no.9 most wanted person ngayong fourth quarter ng 2025.

“This wanted person was arrested after a five-hour operation that started on Tuesday night. I commend our SAF personnel for their hard work and dedication in accounting for this person who was confirmed to be an IED-making expert,” sabi pa ni Nartatez.

“This is a job well done. One less terrorist means a lot in our effort to ensure the safety of everybody,” dagdag pa ng heneral.

Kasalukuyang hawak ng Palimbang Municipal Police Station si Matura. Ihaharap siya sa Regional Trial Court Branch 13 sa Cotabato City, para ibalik ang tatlong warrants of arrest na inisyu laban sa suspek noong 2021.

(JESSE KABEL)