Terrorist slain in South Cotabato clash

POLOMOLOK, South Cotabato, Philippines — An alleged bomb expert of the terror group Dawlah Islamiya was killed in an encounter in this town yesterday.

Esmael Sambial and 15 other members of the terror group were wanted for staging attacks and other heinous offenses.

Sambial was an expert in fabricating improvised explosive devices that can be detonated from a distance with the use of a mobile phone, according to military and police intelligence sources.

Sambial and his companions reportedly drew their guns and shot the police officers out to serve a warrant for their arrest in Barangay Lapu-Lapu.

The terrorists fled after sensing the arrival of more police officers, leaving beind Sambial’s body.

Authorities said Sambial was a follower of Zadee Nilong, who was tagged in recent bombings in Central Mindanao.

The Dawlah Islamiya is a faction of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, which pledged allegiance to international terrorist group Islamic State.