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COTABATO CITY – A high-ranking member of the Islamic State (IS) in South Cotabato province was one of six terrorism suspects killed in a clash with police and soldiers early Friday (November 13).
Major General Juvymax Uy, head of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, identified the slain IS fighter as Arafat Bulacon, also known as Maula. Uy said that Maula was one of the never-before-heard leaders of Ansar Khilafa Philippines (AKP), an ISIS affiliate.
The clash broke out in the village of Koronadal Proper in the town of Polomolok when government forces were on a mission to serve two arrest warrants for murder in Bulacon.
Uy said that Bulacon and his five followers fired at law enforcement officers to block the order.
Bulacon’s group is a holdover from the Maguid faction of the AKP terror group, Uy added.
Colonel Jemuel Siason, South Cotabato Police Chief, identified one of the dead as Jayton Sadalao.
After the shooting, authorities found a 5.56-caliber M4 rifle, two 12-caliber homemade shotguns, two 38-caliber revolvers, a pistol using 5.56-caliber bullets, an IED, and an IS flag.
Bulacon was one of those believed to be behind the 2018 bombing in the city of General Santos. He was also allegedly involved in various crimes in southern Cotabato, according to a military report.
Uy said the mission to arrest Bulaon was part of a series aimed at eliminating terrorist groups in the area.
Uy credited residents who tipped off authorities about the location of the Bulacon group.
Edited by TSB
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