FOUR members of the Dawlah Islamiya (DI) terror group were killed and various war materials were recovered following a clash with government troops in Maguindanao del Norte, the military said Monday, March 17, 2025.
Lieutenant Colonel John Dela Cruz, Marine Battalion Landing Team-2 (MBLT-2) commander, said the clash happened at 5:45 a.m. Monday in Sitio Palao in Barira village, Barira, Maguindanao del Norte.
Dela Cruz said the troops were conducting combat operation when they clashed with a group of DI terrorists led by Emarudin Kasan Kulaw, alias Alpha King, the sub-leader of the DI-Hassan Group.
He said the firefight resulted in the death of four followers of Kulaw, including the leader's son identified as alias Pudin.
Two of the other three slain DI members were identified as Mustapha Kasan Kulaw, alias Abu Saiden and brother of Emrarudin; and alias Abdullah. The fourth one remained unidentified.
He said the group's leader, Emarudin, has a pending criminal case for destructive arson and is in the order of battle of both the military and police.
He said the troops recovered two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) fashioned out as landmines, a flag of the Islamic State for Iraq and Syria (ISIS), two M16 rifles, an M203 Grenade Launcher, two caliber .45 pistols, various types of ammunition, magazines, two bandoliers, and three cellular phones.
In a statement, Brigadier General Romulo Quemado II, 1st Marine Brigade commander, said they will continue to advance counter-terrorism operations to ensure peace and security in the region.
"This victory is proof of the continued dedication of our soldiers in combating threats to the security of our nation. We will not stop as long as the threat of terrorism in our area continues," Quemado said.
Meanwhile, Major General Donald Gumiran, 6th Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Central commander, commended the MBLT-2 personnel for the successful combat operation.
Gumiran also urged the remaining members of Dawlah Islamiyah to cease their armed struggle and return to the government so that they can live peacefully.
"Instead of continuing with pointless violence, it would be better if you return to the government and lived peacefully. Our government is here to help you and give you a new opportunity for a better future," Gumiran added.
On Thursday, March 13, four members of the Dawlah Islamiya-Maute Group (DI-MG) surrendered to government authorities in the province of Lanao del Sur.
The 64th Infantry Battalion (64IB) said the four DI-MG members, whose identities were withheld, surrendered at the headquarters of the battalion on Thursday in Matalin village, Malabang, Lanao del Sur.
The 64IB said they turned over high-powered firearms that include a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, a carbine rifle, a caliber .45 pistol, and a .9-millimeter pistol. (SunStar Zamboanga)