BOMB COMPONENTS. Police and military personnel inspect the motorcycle of slain suspected bomb courier Alimudin Unggala for bomb components after he was intercepted in the vicinity of Barangay Madia, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao on Friday (July 3, 2020). The suspect, an alleged close aide of Imam Bungos, a commander of the Islamic State-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, was killed after trying to lob a grenade at government troopers. (Photo courtesy of Dennis Arcon – DXMY Cotabato)
COTABATO CITY – Police and military troopers killed a suspected bomb courier of the Islamic State-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao during an operation on Friday.
Col. Arnold Santiago, Maguindanao Police chief, identified the slain suspect as Alimudin Unggala, 18, of Barangay Madia in the municipality.
Military and police intelligence reports said Unggala was a close aide of BIFF commander Imam Bungos, whose group operates in the marshy areas of Maguindanao.
The BIFF was tagged in a series of deadly bomb attacks in central Mindanao since 2016.
“Acting on a tip, combined police and military personnel responded and caught up with the suspect on Friday morning while on his way to the town proper aboard his motorbike,” Santiago said in a report.
Upon seeing the lawmen, he said Unggala ran off and attempted to lob a grenade, prompting government troopers in pursuit to shoot him.
Recovered underneath Unggala’s motorcycle seat were bomb-making components. (PNA)
