Ansar Al-Khilafah Philippines leader killed in Sarangani

One of the leaders of a bandit group who allegedly has an affiliation with the terror organization ISIS was killed by government security forces early Thursday morning in Sarangani Province.

Citing field reports, Chief Supt. Cedrick Train, director of the Police Regional Office 12, identified the fatality as Mohammad Jaafar Maguid, alias Tokboy, leader of the Ansar Al-Khilafah Philippines SOCSARGEN and the top 1 most wanted person in Sarangani province.

Train said that around 1 a.m., the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, Sarangani Provincial Intelligence Branch, 3RD COY Regional Public Safety Batallion 12, Sarangani Provincial Public Safety Company, Regional Intelligence Division 12, and Kiamba Municipal Police Station conducted an operation at Angel Beach Resort in Brgy Kitagas, Kiamba, Sarangani Province.

Aside from the neutralization of Maguid, the operation resulted in the arrest of Maguid's three cohorts – Matahata Dialawe Arboleda, Ismael Sahak alias Mael, and Morhaban Veloso @ Bugoy. They allegedly served as the bodyguards or security aides of Tokboy at the time they were arrested, police said.

Train said the suspects were on board a red Toyota Wigo when the authorities saw them.

Seized from the suspects were two AR 15 Armalite rifles (Elisco & Bushmaster), one hand grenade, 18 pieces loaded short M-16 magazines (two plastic and 16 steel), eight pieces loaded long M16 magazines (one plastic and seven steel), two bandoliers, black cellphone, and assorted documents including passport and passbook of Matahati.

"Tokboy is a notorious bandit leader with affiliation to ISIS. He and his group had escaped several govt operations to neutralize them," said Train.

Ansar Al-Khilafah Philippines is the group linked to those arrested for attempting to bomb Luneta Park and eventually planting the bomb near United States Embassy in December.

Warrest of arrest, bounty

Supt. Romeo Galgo Jr., Region 12 public information office chief, said Maguid was involved in several killings, robbery/hold-ups, harassments, extortions and other illegal activities in the areas of Sarangani Province, General Santos City and Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat.

He said Maguid had a standing warrant of arrest for two counts of murder, destructive arson, arson robbery with violence and/or intimidation of person, and murder issued by RTC Branch 38 of Alabel, Sarangani and RTC NCJR, Branch 271 of Pasig, City.

Maguid also had a reward of P 300,000.00 through Memorandum Circular 2012-47 for his capture, said Galgo. — RSJ, GMA News