Suspected Indonesian terrorist held

SULTAN KUDARAT, Philippines — An Indonesian man was arrested in this province on Monday for alleged links to a local militant group.

Mushalah Somina Rasim, 32, alias Abu Omar, failed to present any identification card when questioned by personnel of the Palimbang police and intelligence agents of the 5th Marine Battalion, the military said.

The Ansar Al-Khilafa terror group, which declared its  loyalty to the Islamic State, emerged in Palimbang in 2014.

Soldiers seized the camp of the militants in Barangay Butril following an encounter that left seven terrorists dead. A cache of  firearms and explosives was also seized.

Senior Superintendent Raul Supiter of the Sultan Kudarat police confirmed the arrest of Rasim, but did not give details.

“There are transnational security cooperation efforts between our government and Indonesia. Our superiors will initiate proper procedures,” Supiter said.

Members of the Sultan Kudarat inter-agency provincial peace and order council said they would ask the Indonesian consulate in Davao City to help the Philippine National Police in its investigation of Rasim.