2 bus bomb suspects slain in ‘shootout’

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Two suspects tagged in a recent bomb attack on a passenger bus in Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat were killed in an alleged shootout with police officers in this city yesterday.

Haron Akmad Martin and his wife Aiman Mandi reportedly fired at a team of police officers out to serve a warrant for their arrest in Barangay Rosary Heights 6, according to separate reports from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region police and the Soccsksargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos) police.

A passenger was killed while 11 others were wounded in the explosion that ripped through a bus of the Yellow Bus Line in Tacurong on Nov. 6.

Police officials clarified earlier reports that the suspects were arrested by a joint team of the regional and provincial police.

Officials of Barangay Rosary Heights 6 told journalists that the couple died from multiple gunshot wounds.

Mandi and Martin were reportedly members of the Dawlah Islamiya terror group, according to Brig. Gen. John Guyguyon, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region police director.

Army and police intelligence officers said the suspects have links with the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

The terror groups have pledged allegiance to international terrorist organization Islamic State.

Aside from their alleged involvement in the Tacurong bus bombing, the suspects were also tagged in an attack on the South Seas Mall in 2018, which killed a minor and wounded seven others.