PNP-IG ‘intel packet’ trigger successful counter-terror ops in Mindanao
AN ‘intelligence packet’ provided by the Regional Intelligence Unit 9 of the Philippine National Police Intelligence Group has resulted in a counter-terror raid in Sultan Naga Dimaporo in Lanao del Norte last week which led to the killing of five heavily-armed suspects and the capture of two others, the Journal Group learned yesterday.
According to PNP-IG acting director Col. Frankie C. Candelario, officers of the RIU9 provided the intelligence reports, which resulted in the identification of the hideout of the wanted gunmen in Purok 2, Bgy. Bangco in Sultan Naga Dimaporo municipality early morning of October 23.
In a report to PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco D. Marbil, the PNP-IG’s top official said two of the suspects identified as Uya and Musa Dama were linked to a number of terror and other criminal activities in the Southern Philippines, including kidnappings, multiple murders and bombings in the region.
Uya and Musa Dama and three other armed cohorts identified as Elum and Husni Datumaas and an unidentified man were killed while exchanging fire with policemen and soldiers who stormed their hiding place.
Officers were about to serve a non-bailable warrant of arrest for kidnapping and serious illegal detention issued against the two Damas by Judge Vicente dela Plaza of the Imelda, Zamboanga Sibugay Regional Trial Court Branch 31 when they were met with heavy volley of fire from the armed suspects.
Candelario said the other lawmen involved in the successful counter-terror raid were those from the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group’s Lanao del Norte Provincial Field Unit, the RIU 10; the 5th Special Operations Unit of the PNP Maritime Group; the Army’s 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion, Army’s 2nd Mechanized Brigade, 1st Intelligence Security Unit, Army Intelligence Regiment, the Police Regional Office 9 Regional Intelligence Division and the Lanao del Norte Police Provincial Office.
The PNP-IG official described Uya and Musa Dama as members of a Dawlah Islamiyah-inspired criminal group operating in Malangas, Zamboanga Sibugay.
He said that Uya is a bomb-maker who was tagged as behind a bomb attack in front of a beach store in Bgy. Lower Bayao in Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur last September 17.
The suspects were also said to have been involved in the kidnapping of a secretary of the Cebeles Marine Products in 2009; the killing of a militiaman in Sitio Lower Camanga in Bgy. Lipakan in Zamboanga Sibugay on October 23, 2023; and the deadly Mamasapano, Maguindanao attack in January 2015 which left 44 PNP Special Action Force commandos dead.
The suspects were also believed to have links with the late Abu Sayyaf Group leader Mundi Sawadjaan who gained notoriety for a string of terror acts in Basilan and Zamboanga Sibugay.
Marbil lauded his men for their strong collaboration with the Armed
Forces of the Philippines to put an end to all terror activities in Mindanao.
“This operation is a significant blow to terrorist-linked groups operating in Mindanao and is a testament to the relentless efforts of the PNP and our Armed Forces to dismantle organized crime groups,” said the top cop.
The clash erupted as members of the CIDG Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Unit headed by Lieutenant Colonel Jynleo Y. Bautista tried to serve the warrant of arrest against the two suspects.
Recovered from the slain suspects were two semi-automatic pistols, three M-16 automatic rifles, assorted magazines, dozens of various live ammunition, an M-1 Garand clip and two grenades.
