Alleged Dawlah Islamiyah bombmaker arrested in Sultan Kudarat

An alleged bombmaker of the Dawlah Islamiyah-Hassan Group was arrested during a police operation in Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Wednesday, 29 October 2025.

In a statement, the PNP said members of the Special Action Force (SAF) served three arrest warrants against the suspect on Tuesday night for multiple murder, destructive arson, and terrorism. The operation lasted five hours.

Authorities also recovered an improvised explosive device (IED) from the suspect’s possession.

Police and military intelligence identified the man as a known IED expert and bombmaker for the Dawlah Islamiyah-Hassan Group, a local terrorist faction linked to the Islamic State. He was listed ninth on the most wanted list in the region for the fourth quarter of 2025.

The suspect is currently detained at the Palimbang Municipal Police Station and will be presented before the Regional Trial Court Branch 13 in Cotabato City, which issued the arrest warrants in 2021.

PNP chief P/Lt.Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the police force continues to strengthen coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and other law enforcement agencies to pursue high-value targets from terrorist and criminal groups, particularly in Mindanao.

“This wanted person was arrested after a five-hour operation that started on Tuesday night. I commend our SAF personnel for their hard work and dedication to account for this person, who was confirmed to be an IED-making expert,” Nartatez said.

“This is a job well done. One less terrorist means a lot in our effort to ensure the safety of everybody,” he added.

The Dawlah Islamiyah terrorist has been linked to a series of bombings and attacks, particularly the infamous Marawi siege, in the southern Philippines in recent years.