Cops kill 4 ‘terrorists’ in Parañaque

PARAÑAQUE, Philippines — A couple and their housemates, accused of being terrorists, were killed in an alleged shootout with law enforcers in Parañaque City at past midnight yesterday.

Police officers and soldiers implemented a search warrant for illegal firearms and ammunition on a house in Better Living Subdivision, Barangay Don Bosco at around 12:26 a.m., according to a spot report from the city police.

The house reportedly belonged to Bensaudi “Boy” Sali and Merhama “Mheng” Abdul Sawari, a couple.

The spot report stated that as the lawmen served the search warrant, the couple and Rasmin Hussin and Jamal Kalliming reportedly shot at them.

Cpl. Ehrol Gamboa was shot in both legs during the operation and is recovering at a hospital in Taguig City, police said.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa yesterday ordered an investigation on the incident, identifying the four as members of the Islamic State-inspired Daulah Islamiyah (DI) terrorist group, which has ties with the Abu Sayyaf.

Sawari was a finance and logistics facilitator of the DI, police said.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief, Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas said that the operation started in November 2019 following confirmed reports of the presence of alleged members of the DI’s financial conduit.

Seized from the crime scene were three blasting caps, different kinds of wire, suspected explosives, guns of different calibers, two hand grenades, an M-16 rifle and an improvised firing device.

Three black IS flags were also found at the crime scene, police said.

Sinas alleged that the suspects were connected to DI bomb expert Mundi Sawadjaan, also known as Abu Marwan, one of the key planners of the twin bombings at the Jolo Cathedral in Sulu in January last year.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said there is a need to enhance measures against terrorists in Metro Manila following the encounter in Parañaque.

“The presence of these terrorists in (the National Capital Region) highlights the need for us to enhance our measures against those who intend to bring harm to our people,” he said as he again pushed for the passage of the anti-terror bill. Emmanuel Tupas, Romina Cabrera