ILIGAN CITY – An alleged notorious sub Leader of Dawlah Islamiya Local Terrorist group was killed during a 30-minute gunfight Monday, April 12 in Guimba, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur.
The local terrorist was identified as Usop Nasif also known as Abu Asraf, said to be the next in line to Lanao Del Sur’s current Dawlah Islamiya terrorist leader Abu Zacaria.
Nasif was declared dead on arrival at the Amai Pakpak Medical Center where he was brought after sustaining gunshot wounds during an intense battle during the joint law enforcement operation conducted by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Army troops.
The wife of Nasif was also injured and was immediately brought to the same hospital for medical treatment while seven personnel of PNP and one Army personnel were wounded in the firefight.
103rd Infantry Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Jose Maria Cuerpo II said the neutralized local terrorist was the primary suspect in the killings of three PNP and three Army personnel early this year. He was also implicated in the killing of civilians who failed to give in to their extortion demands.
"Troops are on pursuit against the cohorts of Nasif and we encourage the locals to report their presence so that we could stop their terrorist activities in the province", Cuerpo added.
1st Infantry (Tabak) Division commander Maj.Gen. Generoso Ponio, commended the PNP and Army troops for the successful neutralization of the terrorist sub leader.
"We vowed to remain relentless against these terrorist group to sustain the peace and progress that we have attained in our area of responsibility," said Ponio.