Alleged Daulah Islamiyah sub-leader killed in Sultan Kudarat

November 5, 2020

An alleged sub-leader of Daulag Islamiyah, suspected of involvement in April's General Santos bombing where 15 died,  was killed in a law enforcement operation in Sultan Kudarat on Wednesday afternoon, a military official reported on Thursday.

Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr., Western Mindanao Command chief, said the combined elements of the 7th Infantry Battalion, Sultan Kudarat Provincial Police Office, Polomolok and Esperanza Municipal police stations, the 43rd Special Action Company of the PNP Special Action Force, and intelligence operatives conducted the operation at Migyz Inn, Purok Hiligaynon, Barangay Saliao, Esperanza municipality.

Vinluan said the operation resulted in the death of Jazzer Nilong, alias Khalid DI Nilong, a Daulah Islamiyah sub-leader.

"The target sensed the presence of the government forces who were conducting surveillance operation. He immediately drew his gun and fired upon the operatives and so they were forced to retaliate,” he said.

“The exchange of fire lasted for about two minutes which resulted in the death of Nilong,” he added.

Brig. Gen. Roberto Capulong, commander of the 602nd Infantry Brigade, said  Nilong has a warrant of arrest for the crime of frustrated murder issued by Judge Dennis Velasco of Regional Trial Court Branch 23, General Santos City.

“The subject was involved in the GenSan bombing and assassination of (Polomolok deputy police chief) Police Capt. Herman Gabat (in 2017),” Capulong said.

Lt. Col. Alaric Avelino Delos Santos, Western Mindnao Command spokesman,  said government forces seized one cal. 45 Norinco pistol with one magazine and four rounds of ammunition, one-piece 60mm unfused mortar, one rifle grenade with bull trap, electric blasting cap, battery, improvised thrown ammunition, two improvised non-electric blasting cap, four fired cartridge case of cal. 9mm, and two heat-sealed sachet with a white crystalline substance believed to be shabu from Nilong.

Operating troops immediately coordinated with crime scene operatives and explosives and ordnance teams for the investigation and proper handling of  recovered explosives, said Delos Santos.

Delos Santos said the recovered explosives and bomb materials are placed under the custody of the explosives and ordnance team for further investigation while the other items are under the custody of the Esperanza PNP.

"The cadaver of Jazzer Nilong was brought to RC Funeral Homes for a post-mortem examination," he added.

Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, JTF Central Commander, said the military "are grateful for no one from our side was hurt during the operation." Robina Asido/DMS