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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Army to sustain pursuit operations vs. Dawlah Islamiyah

Army to sustain pursuit operations vs. Dawlah Islamiyah

Published Jun 24, 2025 05:01 pm
(Photo: 6th Infantry Division)
(Photo: 6th Infantry Division)
The Philippine Army (PA) will continue its military offensives against the radical group Dawlah Islamiyah (DI) in Mindanao following the death of two of its members during an armed encounter in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
Tahir Salim Suweb, 41, and Benladin Adi Kamid, 23, died during a military operation by the 6th Infantry Division (6ID) in Brgy, Libutan last June 22. Both were tagged by the military as members of the DI-Hassan Group.
“It is always the guidance of the Commanding General [Lt. Gen. Roy Galido] to the Philippine Army to continue the pursuit operations. There will be no let-up in running after the members of these terrorist groups,” Col. Louie Dema-ala, Army spokesperson, said on Tuesday, June 24.
Dema-ala said the Army has been collaborating with the civilian communities to ensure peace and order and eradicate members of local terror groups in Mindanao.
Operating units from the 6th Infantry Battalion, 33rd Infantry Battalion, and other operating units under the 601st Infantry Brigade conducted the operation against the DI-Hassan Group after receiving a tip from the community that suspicious men were present in Brgy. Libutan and they were allegedly planning to plant improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in populous places in the province.
Aside from those two killed, two other alleged members of the DI-Hassan Group were also arrested. They were identified as Junjun Leosen, 37, and Rasul Mendoza Kariman, 31.
Two soldiers were brought to a hospital after sustaining injuries during the encounter. The troops also recovered two M16A1 rifles, a caliber .45 pistol, ingredients in making IEDs, an unexploded ordnance (UXO), multiple cellphones, a Bushnell monocular scope, a bipod, communications equipment, and a clutch bag containing fake IDs.
Dema-ala said the Army will support the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) investigation after it was revealed that the two slain DI-Hassan Group members were linked to the killing of three goat traders in Batangas in May.
The remains of the traders were found in Shariff Saidona Mustapha, Maguindanao del Sur on May 30, a week after they were reported missing while transacting in the area.
“They are the same group present in that area that’s why such possibility is there. This is part of the investigation of the 6th ID as well as the Philippine National Police,” Dema-ala said.

Related Tags

Philippine Army Mamasapano Dawlah Islamiyah
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