Cagayan de Oro City — Police Regional Office 10 (PRO10) scored a major victory against terrorism with the arrest of a key supporter of the Daulah Islamiyah–Maute Group (DI-MG) during a joint law enforcement operation in Barangay Angandog, Baloi, Lanao del Norte, on November 6, 2025.
The suspect, identified only by his alias “Lucky 9,” 56, and a resident of Baloi, was apprehended by virtue of three warrants of arrest: Kidnapping for Ransom (Criminal Case No. 20-23823, no bail recommended), Frustrated Murder (Criminal Case No. 11214, ₱200,000 bail recommended), and Violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act (Criminal Case No. 18-22142, no bail recommended).
Confiscated from his possession were an M14 rifle, six 7.62mm magazines with 125 rounds of live ammunition, an M1911 .45-caliber pistol, a Baofeng handheld radio, and other materials believed to be used in supporting the group’s armed activities.
Police investigation revealed that “Lucky 9” was a former leader of a Kidnap-for-Ransom Group (KFRG) before pledging allegiance to the DI-Maute Group, serving as a logistics provider responsible for acquiring firearms, medicines, and food supplies to sustain terrorist operations in Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, and nearby provinces. He was also linked to several high-profile kidnapping incidents in 2013 and 2014 and had been listed as a Most Wanted Person by the Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group.
The suspect is currently detained at the Baloi Municipal Police Station for documentation and disposition.
PBGEN Christopher N. Abrahano, Acting Regional Director of PRO10, said the arrest of “Lucky 9” marks a significant operational breakthrough that weakens the logistics and recruitment capabilities of the Daulah Islamiyah–Maute Group not only in Northern Mindanao but also in other nearby provinces.
“This arrest is a major blow to the Daulah Islamiyah–Maute Group. By capturing one of their key supporters, we have crippled their logistics and disrupted their ability to carry out further terroristic activities in our region and nearby provinces,” Abrahano said.
He added that PRO10 will continue to intensify its intelligence-driven operations in close coordination with other law enforcement and intelligence units to ensure that no remnants of the terror group can reestablish their presence in the region.