Two DI-linked teens injured, arrested after shootout in Maguindanao

COTABATO CITY, BARMM, Philippines — Two suspected members of extremist groups were injured and arrested by police in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur, on Friday afternoon, September 11, following a shootout during the implementation of an election gun ban. According to Capt. Steffi Salanguit of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), the suspects, identified only by aliases "Sob" and "Abs," were on board a motorcycle and were flagged down at a checkpoint in Barangay Poblacion 2 around 3 p.m. for inspection. Salanguit stated that the driver allegedly ignored the checkpoint and accelerated, attempting to hit one of the police personnel. The suspects are reportedly linked to the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and the Dawlah Islamiyah Hassan Group, and are also believed to be involved in carnapping and highway robbery in the province. After evading the checkpoint, police pursued the motorcycle. The back-rider allegedly pulled out a caliber .45 pistol and fired at the pursuing lawmen, prompting the police to return fire. Both suspects sustained gunshot wounds and fell from their motorcycle, which lacked a license plate. They were subsequently cornered in Sitio Bako, Barangay Poblacion II, Shariff Aguak, where they were apprehended and taken to the Bangsamoro Regional and Medical Center for medical treatment. Authorities recovered a caliber .45 pistol and the damaged motorcycle. An empty shell was also found near the crime scene. However, relatives of the apprehended individuals claimed the two were merely avoiding the checkpoint because they did not have driver's licenses or motorcycle license plates. A local radio station also reported that the victims were unarmed. Police are preparing to file charges against the duo for illegal possession of firearms, violation of the election gun ban, and resistance and disobedience to an agent or person in authority. This incident highlights ongoing security concerns in the Bangsamoro region, where an election gun ban is in effect ahead of the September 14 polls.