CAMP SK PENDATUN, Maguindanao Norte – Lanao del Sur police on Sunday killed three alleged members of the Dawlah Islamiya and arrested seven others during a predawn law enforcement operation in Bubong town.

Brig. Gen. Allan Cruz Nobleza, newly-installed director for the Police Regional Office – Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), said the police were about to serve a search warrant against members of an organized crime group in Bgy. Matampay Dimarao when fired at by armed men around 3 a.m. on Sunday.

“As the troops were approaching the gang’s safe house they were fired upon, triggering a brief gun battle,” Nobleza said.

Three wounded gang members were taken to the hospital but were pronounced dead on arrival by doctors.

The bodies of the three unidentified slain gunmen were claimed by their relatives for immediate burial by Islamic rites, Nobleza said.

A member of the police’s Special Action Force, Cpl. Celso Ninla Tingcang, was injured in the encounter and is already in stable condition.

Nobleza identified the arrested suspects as Sultan Macalawan Macarambon Maulana, Nasrudin Acob, Salik Maulana, Anwar Aragon, Acmali Sarip, Aslani Ripag, and Saynolla Tigunogon.

Police seized from the group four rifles, two handguns, a rifle grenade, ammunition, and 25 sachets of suspected shabu estimated to cost P58,000.

Col. Robert Daculan, Lanao del Sur police director, said the suspects were engaged in gunrunning and illegal drug trading in Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte. Philippine News Agency

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