7 suspects killed in CIDG raid

By John Peps M. Dales
MSU-Marawi Intern

THE Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (Barmm) killed seven suspects after the serving of a search warrant at a mosque in Datu Paglas, Maguindanao del Sur went awry yesterday.

The primary target of the law enforcement operation were the Husain brothers Nasser Yassef alias and Norjihad Madidis Husain, alleged members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), for violating the Republic Act 10591 or illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

However, five other men were killed during the raid who were identified as Namex Karim, Morsid Madidis, Dela Singkala, Jerry, and Cocoy Punpagat Pagagungan.

According to the raiding team, these five other men killed alongside the Husain brothers were inside the mosque during an exchange of gunfire that lasted for more than an hour. One of the raiding team was wounded after the encounter with almost 15 armed men.

Seized at the scene were one M16 rifle, two Caliber 45 pistols, Cal. 5.56 mm ammunition, some M16 magazines, Caliber 45 ammunition, and bandoliers.

However, families and relatives of the slain men asserted that the operation was rather a massacre.

Mirinda Madidis Husain, the mother of the Husain brothers, told authorities that her sons were members of the 11th Brigade Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) National Guard Front and not of BIFF.

Emmalyn Mamalinta, the wife of Norjihad Husain Madidis, also claimed that the raiding team destroyed their house and confiscated their personal belongings such as pieces of jewelry, cellphone, and around P300,000 cash.

For his part, PNP Barmm Regional Director PBGen. Allan Nobleza said that it was a legitimate operation and that the group of Nasser was the one responsible for the bombing of the NGCP tower in Carmen, Cotabato in June 2016 including the attack in Datu Paglas in May 2021.

Nobleza affirmed that Nasser was a member of BIFF- Karialan Faction under the protection of Mohidem Animbang who operates within the provinces of Maguindanao del Sur and Norte.