At least eight suspected members of a local terrorist group were arrested in a military operation in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur on Monday, October 20, 2025.

According to the 6th Infantry Division (6ID), troops of the 601st Infantry Brigade responded to a report on the presence of the suspected members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters-Bungos Faction (BIFF-BF) and Dawlah Islamiyah-Hassan Group (DI-HG) in the area.

During the operation, eight individuals were arrested while an M16A1 rifle, 11 magazines, 207 bullets of 5.56mm, and several cellphones were seized.

Authorities said the individuals arrested are now under investigation and undergoing custodial debriefing.

“Ang pagkakadakip sa mga indibidwal na ito ay resulta ng patuloy na pakikipagtulungan ng ating mga kababayan sa hanay ng militar. Ipinapakita nito na unti-unti nang nawawala ang suporta ng komunidad sa teroristang grupo, at mas pinipili na ng mga mamamayan ang kapayapaan kaysa karahasan. Patuloy nating paiigtingin ang ating operasyon upang tuluyang masugpo ang mga natitirang elemento ng teroristang grupo sa ilalim ng aming nasasakupan.” 601st Commander, Brigadier General Edgar Catu, said.

6ID Commander, Major General Donald Gumiran lauded the troops for the successful operation.

“Sa bawat operasyong gaya nito, unti-unti nating binabasag ang mga pader ng takot at karahasan na dulot ng mga lokal na teroristang grupo. Pinapalakas din nito ang ating ugnayan sa mga lokal na pamahalaan at mamamayan upang makamit ang pangmatagalang kapayapaan at kaunlaran sa Central at South-Central Mindanao,” Gumiran said.