Police arrest two DI-linked teens after shootout in Maguindanao

COTABATO CITY, BARMM, Philippines — Two suspected Moro extremists were injured in a shootout with police authorities in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur during the implementation of election gun ban on Friday afternoon, Sept. 11, police said.

Capt. Steffi Salanguit, speaking for police in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), said the suspects were on board a motorbike and was flagged down at a checkpoint in Barangay Poblacion 2 for gun ban inspection at about 3 p.m.

She identified the suspects as alias “Sob” and alias “Abs,” both residents of Barangay Kitango, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur.

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“The driver ignored the checkpoint and accelerated, allegedly attempting to hit one of the police personnel,” Salanguit said, citing a report from Shariff Aguak police station.

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“Both are reportedly linked to the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and Dawlah Islamiyah Hassan Group,” Salanguit said. “Both are also reportedly involved in carnapping and highway robbery in the province.”

After speeding away from the checkpoint, the police pursued the suspects but the back-rider pulled  his caliber .45 pistol and fired at pursuing lawmen.

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This prompted the police to fire back, hitting the suspects who subsequently fell from their motorbike without license plate.

They were subsequently cornered along a narrow road in Sitio Bako, Barangay Poblacion II, Shariff Aguak, where both suspects sustained gunshot wounds.

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Police immediately apprehended and transported them to Bangsamoro Regional and Medical Center for medical treatment.

Salanguit said police recovered from them a caliber .45 pistol and a damaged motorbike. Police also found an empty shell near the crime scene.

But the victims’ relatives claimed the two avoided the police checkpoint since they do not have driver’s license and no motorcycle license plate.

A certain Munky Shaffer Jego, a resident of Shariff Aguak, told a local radio station that the victims were not armed.

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Salanguit said the duo are facing charges for illegal possession of firearm, violation of election gun ban and resistance and disobedience to an agent or person in authority. /cb