Dawlah Islamiya ‘bomb factory’ seized

MANILA, Philippines — Government troopers overran a bomb-making facility operated by the Dawlah Islamiya in Barangay Pagatin in Shariff Sardona, Maguindanao on Wednesday.

Joint Task Force Central and 6th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy said a cache of explosives and war materiel were found at the scene.

Uy said the factory is believed to be operated by the Turaife group of the Dawlah Islamiya led by Esmael Abdulmalik.

The military said blasting caps, chemicals used to make bombs, anti-personnel mines, ammunition for rocket-propelled grenades, laboratory test tube glasses, electric wires, improvised switch and a remote control for an unidentified device were among the items recovered.

“I urge everyone to remain vigilant and immediately report any suspicious person or thing in your locality. With your unrelenting support, it is assured that we will soon attain genuine peace and development in Mindanao,” Uy said in a statement.

The Dawlah Islamiya and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters were tagged in the spate of bombings in Central Mindanao in recent years.