The “amir” or leader of the Daulah Islamiyah (DI)-Philippines, an Islamist militant group, was killed in a law enforcement operation in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur before dawn Wednesday, June 14.
(Photo courtesy of Western Mindanao Command)
Faharudin Hadji Benito Satar with aliases Faharudin Pumbaya Pangalian, Fahar Pumbaya Pangalian, and Abu Zacharia died when joint elements of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) served a warrant of arrest against him at his safe house in Brgy. Bangon around 1:30 a.m.
Abu Zacharia has multiple warrants of arrest for murder, kidnapping, arson, and frustrated murder among others, according to AFP's Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom).
Aside from being the leader of the DI-Philippines, Abu Zacharia was also the designated overall amir of the terror group Islamic State (IS) in East Asia, according to Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, commander of WesMinCom.
Also killed in a follow-up operation was Abu Zacharia’s alleged sub-leader, Joharie Sandap alias Mursid, the amir for finance and logistics of DI-Philippines.
“Combined elements of the AFP under the 103rd Infantry Brigade and the PNP conducted a joint operation to serve a warrant of arrest against Abu Zacharia. Sensing the government forces’ presence, the target opened fire, forcing the operating troops to retaliate. Abu Zacharia also threw a 60mm mortar and two hand grenades toward the troops’ position,” Galido said.
The firefight lasted for about 10 minutes and after this, the troops recovered the body of Abu Zacharia as well as two M16A1 rifles.
A soldier was also wounded as a result of the exchange of fire. He was brought to a hospital in Marawi City.
The troops conducted a follow-up operation around 6 a.m. also in Brgy. Bangon which ended up with the death of Sandap.
“The subject also threw a hand grenade toward the operating troops. Fortunately, the hand grenade did not explode. The government forces were left with no choice but to return fire. The exchange of fires resulted in the death of [Sandap],” Galido noted.
Sandap’s body was also retrieved by the military.
Marawi siege
Abu Zacharia was among the leaders of terror group Maute that laid siege to Marawi City on May 23, 2017 to establish a caliphate or base of the terror Islamic State.
The five-month-long battle resulted in the death of 168 soldiers, more than 900 terrorists, and close to 100 civilians, and government forces liberated Marawi City on October 23, 2017.
He then became the leader of the Islamic State in East Asia in 2021 following the death of Owayda Marahombsar alias Abu Dar in 2019, according to the military.
Major Andrew Linao, spokesperson of WesMinCom, said Islamic State in East Asia is divided into subfactions and in the Philippines, its affiliated member-groups include the DI, Maute Group, Hassan Group, and Maguid Group.
At present, there are around 100 DI, Maute, Hassan, and Maguid fighters operating in Lanao Del Sur, Linao said.
Radicalism
Abu Zacharia’s death was a “manifestation” that the government is bent on eliminating Islamic radicalism, especially propagated by the Islamic State, in the Philippines, according to Galido.
“Hopefully, this would be a reminder for those who espouse radicalism to be deradicalized already because the government will go after them,” he noted.
Now that the leader of DI has been killed, Galido said that they will now focus on the remaining forces of the group in the southern part of the country.
“The extent of terrorism cannot be measured on how strong they [terrorist groups] are but on their network to wreak havoc. Sometimes they operate on small groups, but what is important is their leadership, specifically their think tank, their efforts, are curtailed,” Galido stressed.