4 alleged members of IS-linked group dead after clash with military

Four alleged members of an IS-linked group on Thursday have died following an encounter with the military in Barangay Basag in T’Boli, South Cotabato , according to the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom).

WestMinCom chief Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan Jr. said combined forces of the military and police were serving a warrant of arrest against Daulah Islamiyah-Maguid Group member Russel Mamo when they encountered armed men at around 5 a.m.

“There was an armed confrontation which lasted for about 20 minutes after which the enemies scampered in different directions,” Vinluan said in a statement. 

Authorities arrested four wounded individuals. An earlier report from WestMinCom identified them as Mamo and the Macabangin brothers.

AFP WestMinCom spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Alaric Delos Santos later identified the four as Harudin Macabangin, Norhan Macabangin, Baharan Macabangin, and Moin Macabangin.

"All of them are Dawlah Islamiyah (DI) Maguid Group members under @Tadoy, and all of them have standing warrant of arrest for murder with criminal case no. 6083-19 and 6084-19," he said.

The WestMinCom said the arrested were brought to the nearest hospital, but that they were pronounced dead on arrival by the attending physician.

“All of them are not listed in our Periodic Status Report and we will just give further details about the apprehended personalities after the investigation,” Lieutenant Colonel Randy Banaag, the commanding officer of the 5th Special Forces Battalion, said.

Authorities also retrieved two pistols, one grenade, one improvised carbine rifle, and suspected marijuana. — Joahna Lei Casilao/BM, GMA News