Suspect in twin bus blast killed, 1 arrested in North Cotabato clash

Lieutenant Colonel Rommel Mundala, commander of Philippine Army’s 90th Infantry Battalion identified the slain suspect as Monir Lintukan, a member of Dawlah Islamiyah Maguindanao Group (DI-MG).

Lintukan’s cohort, Randy Saro alias Bobong was also arrested during the conduct of focused military operations and joint law enforcement support operations at around 5 a.m.

In a report from 6th Infantry Division, the operating troops from 90IB, 34IB, 1st Scout Ranger Battalion, 4JSOU together with the elements of Police Regional Office - PRO12 were conducting focused military and joint law enforcement operations when they chanced upon heavily armed men believed to be members of DI-Maguindanao Group led by Almoben Camen Sebod alias ‘Polok’, a full-time member of DIMG who is directly involved in extortion and scam activities together with his cohort Omal Kamsa, member of BIFF-Karialan Faction.

The group of Lintukan is suspected to be the perpetrators of the bombing incident in Parang, Maguindanao; Mlang and Aleosan in North Cotabato and the recent twin bombing incidents in Koronadal City and Tacurong City. 

Due to our intensified intelligence gathering, we immediately tracked down those suspects and launched manhunt operations against them", Colonel Jovencio Gonzales, commander of 602nd Infantry Brigade said. 

The operating teams recovered a Caliber 5.56mm M16 rifle; magazine; 41 rounds cartridge of Cal 5.56mm ball; bandolier; and one improvised explosive device.

Brigadier General Eduardo Gubat, acting commander of 6th ID said that the killing of this alleged bomber of Dawlah Islamiyah MG member was a recent push of the government forces against the rebels in our area of operations. 

“Your army along with other government forces will continue to pursue those suspects responsible for the bombings here in our area. 

Gubat vowed to sustain the military operations until the remnants of the terrorist group operating in South and South-Central Mindanao will be neutralized and the area will be free from any terror group.