17 suspects arrested in Maguindanao anti-terror op

An anti-terror operation in Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur resulted in the apprehension of 17 local terrorists and the seizure of firearms and improvised explosive devices.

Soldiers from the Army's 90th Infantry Battalion and local police units discovered the explosives and six assault rifles in the suspects' hideout in Barangay Kapinpilan.

The operation was prompted by reports from Moro villagers who observed the group assembling powerful improvised explosive devices.

Local Moro leaders confirmed that the apprehended individuals are members of the Dawlah Islamiya and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

The terrorists surrendered peacefully to authorities upon realizing they were surrounded and outnumbered.