Militant gunrunner slain in Ormoc

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — A suspected member of the Dawlah Islamiyah terrorist group tagged in gunrunning was killed in an entrapment in Sitio Lawis, Barangay Airport in Ormoc yesterday.

Joseph Anulga Jr., alias Dawud, reportedly drew his gun when he sensed he had sold a caliber .45 pistol for P12,000 to undercover agents.

The operation was carried out by personnel of the 802nd Infantry Brigade, 8th Infantry Division and the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

Authorities said Anulga was reportedly recruiting local residents to convert to Islam.

The fatality was an alleged associate of the late Yusuf Macuto, who was involved in the foiled plot to bomb the US embassy in November 2016 and thebomb attack in Hilognos also in Leyte in December 2016.

Police said Anulga’s group also plotted bomb attacks in Leyte. – Emmanuel Tupas, Jaime Laude