By Sam Ramos
Two alleged members of the Dawlah Islamiya group, involved in an ambush on military forces in Lanao del Norte in 2023, were arrested on Tuesday, facing murder charges. The suspects were apprehended following a joint operation by multiple police units in Lanao del Norte.
According to Brig. Gen. Jaysen de Guzman, Director of the Police Regional Office-Northern Mindanao, the two individuals were implicated in the attack on Army troops from the 52nd Infantry Battalion in Munai town in January 2023. The suspects include “Ali,” 21, the region’s second most wanted individual, and his 17-year-old companion. Both are residents of Lanao del Norte.
The arrest marks a significant step toward ensuring the safety of local communities, according to De Guzman. The suspects are set to face charges of murder and attempted murder in connection with the ambush.