DAVAO CITY—A suspected terrorist carrying an improvised explosive device was killed during an encounter with operatives of the Davao City Police Office early Tuesday morning.
The unidentified suspect, believed to be a member of the Abu Sayyaf Group, engaged in a firefight with the intelligence and SWAT team of DCPO at 3 a.m. in Magtuod, Maa district here.
Police spokesperson Senior Inspector Ma. Therisita Gaspan said the DCPO’s intelligence branch was alerted about men riding in tandem in Bangkal district around 6 p.m. on Monday.
Davao police director Senior Supt. Alexander Tagum then tasked the operating team to track down, monitor and possibly apprehend the suspects on a motorcycle.
Gaspan said the suspect was on a motorbike when the authorities chased him.
“The suspect disembarked from the motorcycle when flagged down by the authorities, then pulled a firearm and fired at the operatives,” she said.
Gaspan said the cohort of the unidentified suspect escaped during the gunbattle.
Authorities found a.38 cal. pistol, a 60mm mortar shell, a detonation cord and two blasting caps on the suspect.
Tagum said the unexploded IED recovered from the suspect is similar to the explosive device used in the Roxas Night Market bombing last Sept. 2.
“We are still making validation and intelligence build up to the identity of the suspect, and also the group that he belongs,” he said.
Tagum said police have also coordinated with the neighboring cities and municipalities for the possible apprehension of the suspect’s companion. He added that the authorities will apply stronger countermeasures against all terrorists and criminals in the city.
