THE overall emir of the Daulah Islamiyah-Philippines and his wife were killed in a clash with government forces early Friday, October 29, 2021, in the province of Maguindanao, a military official announced.
Major General Alfredo Rosario, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, identified the slain Daulah Islamiya emir as Salahuddin Hassan, who carries the aliases of Orak, Abu Salman, and Abu Saif.
Rosario said also killed during the clash was Hassan’s wife Jehana Mimbida, the finance officer of the Daulah Islamiya-Hassan Group.
Rosario said Hassan and his wife were killed in a clash with joint military and police forces around 2:25 a.m. Friday, October 29, at Sitio Pinareng in Dmablac village, Talayan, Maguindanao.
Colonel Pedro Balisi, Jr., 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade commander, said the troops were on law enforcement operation when a clash ensued and lasted for about five minutes that resulted in the death of the couple.
The remains of the couple were taken to the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade headquarters in Kabenig village, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao for proper disposition.
Balisi said the troops recovered war materials including one caliber 223-5.56 MOD R4, one bandoleer, two cellular phones, and six long magazines for R4 ammunition.
Major General Juvymax Uy, Joint Task Force-Central commander, commended the combined elements of the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade and intelligence units in the area for the laudable accomplishment.
“With the death of their leader, we are certain that the group will crumble. This is a significant breakthrough in our campaign against terrorism in central Mindanao,” Rosario said. (SunStar Zamboanga)