BARMM: Government forces confiscated high-powered firearms and foiled a bombing attempt in two separate operations in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) over the weekend. The operations led to the arrest of a murder suspect and the discovery of an improvised explosive device (IED) in Maguindanao del Sur.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Special Security Task Group in SGA-BARMM, comprising police and military personnel, conducted an operation on Sunday to serve a warrant of arrest against Kaka Ali, a resident of Barangay Manaulanan, Tugunan. Ali, who was the subject of the warrant, was found in possession of a rifle during the arrest. A further search of his residence uncovered additional firearms, including one M16 rifle, an M14 rifle, a .45-caliber pistol, two homemade sniper rifles, a homemade grenade launcher, a rocket-propelled grenade, and assorted ammunition.

Simultaneously, military forces in Maguindanao del Sur thwarted a bombing attempt on December 27 with the discovery of an IED in Barangay Iginagampong, Datu Unsay town. Civilians alerted the military to the presence of the IED, prompting an immediate response from the Army's 90th Infantry Battalion. Bomb experts confirmed the existence of the device, which consisted of a live RPG, an M61 hand grenade, and a timer, and safely deactivated it.

Lt. Col. Rowel Gavilanes, commander of the Army's 90th Infantry Battalion, emphasized the significance of civilian cooperation in the successful operation, stating, "This successful operation highlights the importance of civilian cooperation in ensuring community safety." Barangay Iginagampong was previously known as a hideout for the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), a group notorious for its violent activities in the region.