CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Authorities have recovered suspected improvised explosive device (IED) components believed to be remnants of past terrorist operations linked to the late Maute Group member known as “Esmael,” during a security operation in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte on the evening of July 11, 2025.
In a statement, the Police Regional Office 10 (PRO10) said the recovery was the result of an intelligence-driven internal security operation under Oplan Ekriktika 08-2025, carried out at around 5:50 p.m. by combined forces of the 1005th Maneuver Company and the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 10 (RMFB 10), in coordination with the Kauswagan Municipal Police Station, 1002nd Maneuver Company, 11th Special Action Company of the 1st Special Action Battalion, and DI-MAPIO.
The team discovered an abandoned hut in Purok 3, Barangay Tugar, believed to have been used as a bomb-making site by “Esmael,” who was killed in a recent armed encounter with law enforcement.
Upon inspection, authorities found several bomb-making materials including PVC pipes and bottles containing suspected ammonium nitrate fuel oil (ANFO), commercial blasting caps, detonating cords, multiple Samsung keypad cellphones with attached wires, electrical tapes, solid wires, packaging materials, and two upper garment battle dress attires (BDAs). An estimated 4 to 5 kilograms of suspected ANFO were recovered inside a black plastic bag.
The breakthrough came after the arrest of “Kurtobi,” a known associate of “Esmael” and a captured member of the Daulah Islamiyah (DI)-Maute Group. He was apprehended on June 29 during the service of a warrant of arrest against “Esmael,” who was killed after resisting arrest and opening fire at authorities.
During custodial interrogation, “Kurtobi” disclosed that “Esmael” had planned to use the explosives to attack a transmission tower of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP). He also revealed the location of the buried IED components, which was later confirmed by a confidential informant.
All recovered items are now in the custody of the Lanao del Norte Provincial Explosive and Canine Unit (LDN PECU) for proper handling and disposal.
PBGEN Rolindo M. Suguilon, Regional Director of PRO10, lauded the coordinated efforts of the operating units and emphasized the significance of the recovery in weakening the operational capabilities of local terror remnants in Northern Mindanao.
“The recovery of these explosive components has once again disrupted the operational capability of local terror remnants in the region. This is a result of our relentless campaign to protect our people from any form of threat. I commend our men on the ground for their dedication and bravery,” Suguilon said.
He also called on the public to remain vigilant and continue supporting law enforcement by reporting suspicious individuals or activities that could jeopardize peace and security in the region.