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The military says the encounter occurred as the militants were gathering and allegedly planning to plant crude bombs in populated areas in Mamasapano, Maguindanao del Sur
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Two suspected members of the Dawlah Islamiya (DI) terrorist group were killed, while two others were wounded and captured in a clash on Sunday, June 22, after troops launched military operations after uncovering a supposed plan by the group to launch bomb attacks in Mamasapano, Maguindanao del Sur.
Military said troops from the 6th Infantry Battalion and the 33rd Infantry Battalion, both under the Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade, clashed with the DI-Hassan Group shortly after 1 am on Sunday in Barangay Libutan, Mamasapano.
According to the military, the encounter occurred as the DI-Hassan Group members were gathering in Barangay Libutan and allegedly planning to plant improvised explosive devices in populated areas.
Killed in the clash were Tahir Salim Suweb, 41, and Benladin Adi Kamid, 23. Wounded and captured were Junjun Kayogen Leosen, 37, and Rasul Mendoza Kariman, 31. Troops brought them to separate hospitals for medical treatment.
Brigadier General Edgar Catu, 603rd IB commander, said the group was allegedly responsible for the killing of three businessmen from Batangas, whose bodies were found in Barangay Nabundas, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao del Sur, on May 30.
The victims had traveled to Maguindanao del Sur to deliver hybrid goats to local residents. Their remains were discovered buried in a shallow grave in Nabundas, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, a week after they were reported missing.
Catu said the DI-Hassan Group was also involved in a series of heists to meet logistical needs, as well as the killings of civilians in the area.
He alleged that the group was also suspected to be behind the ambush of soldiers in Datu Hoffer Ampatuan town in March 2024, which resulted in the deaths of four soldiers.
Catu said troops recovered the following from Sunday’s encounter site: two M16A1 rifles, a .45-caliber pistol, bomb-making components, an unexploded ordnance, several mobile phones, a Bushnell monocular scope, a broken bipod, communication equipment, and a clutch bag containing fake identification cards.
“We will not stop pursuing the remaining members of this group,” he said.
Major General Donald Gumiran, commander of the 6th Infantry Division, said troops foiled the DI-Hassan Group’s sabotage plans.
“We have saved many innocent civilians’ lives. With the prompt action of our soldiers, the local terrorists’ plan to sow violence in this part of Mindanao was thwarted,” Gumiran said. – Rappler.com
