Kidapawan City, North Cotabato – September 12, 2025
Authorities scored a major breakthrough in the government’s counterterrorism campaign with the arrest of a former Dawlah Islamiya-Maute (DI-Maute) member during an intelligence-driven operation in Kidapawan City on September 9.
The suspect, known by his alias Jaggy, was captured in Barangay Poblacion by combined forces of the 85th Special Action Company (SAC), Rapid Deployment Battalion (RDB), and 43rd SAC, 4th Special Action Battalion (SAB), with support from the Kidapawan City Police Station, North Cotabato Police Provincial Office, and the Directorate for Intelligence–Mindanao Area Police Intelligence Office (DI-MAPIO).
The arrest was carried out by virtue of multiple warrants of arrest issued by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 266, National Capital Judicial Region in Taguig City. These include Criminal Case Nos. 1957 to 1962, charging Jaggy with serious illegal detention with murder, kidnapping, and serious illegal detention, all dated September 27, 2021.
Police identified Jaggy as a former member of the DI-Maute Group under the late Abu Dar. He was reportedly involved in several acts of terror in Lanao del Norte in 2016 and took part in the bloody Marawi Siege in 2017, one of the deadliest conflicts in recent Philippine history.
Following his capture, the suspect was placed under the custody of the Kidapawan City Police Station for documentation and proper disposition.
Authorities hailed the operation as a testament to the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) firm resolve to pursue wanted individuals and neutralize threats to national security. “This successful operation reflects our unwavering commitment to uphold the rule of law and ensure the safety of our communities through close coordination with other law enforcement agencies and the public,” the PNP said in a statement.
The arrest of Jaggy marks another blow to remnants of the DI-Maute Group, whose network has significantly weakened in the years following the Marawi Siege but remains a continuing security concern in some parts of Mindanao.