103rd IB soldiers get medals for killing Dawlah Islamiyah members

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday honored its military personnel for their role in neutralizing the members of the Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute Group who were responsible for the bombing at the Mindanao State University (MSU) in December 2023. 

AFP chief of staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. conferred gold and silver cross medals to the members of the 103rd Infantry Brigade in Marawi City. 

“These awards symbolize their hard work, dedication, and professionalism that they showed as they served not only the people of Marawi City, Lanao Del Sur, and Lanao Del Norte, but the entire Philippines as well," Brawner said.

"What you do here has strategic and national value and the world is watching how we address terrorism,” he added.

Earlier this month, the AFP said Khadafi Mimbesa or “Engineer" — the alleged mastermind in the deadly blast at MSU — was killed in a military operation in Lanao del Sur. 

Khadafi Mimbesa was also the amir or leader of Dawlah Islamiyah - Maute Group.

The military likewise conducted operations from January 25 to January 26, which resulted in the deaths of nine alleged Dawlah Islamiyah members.

Among those who were killed in the military operations was Saumay Saiden (also known as Ustadz Omar, Abu Omar, Saumay), one of four primary suspects in the MSU bombing.

The military had initially reported that among those who were killed were Saumay Saiden (also known as Ustadz Omar, Abu Omar, Saumay), one of four primary suspects in the MSU bombing, and Abdul Hadi (also known as Hodi Imam, Abday'N) who allegedly assembled the improvised explosive device used in the bombing incident.

Four people were killed while 45 others were hurt in the deadly explosion that occurred at the Dimaporo Gymnasium at MSU on December 3, 2023.  —NB, GMA Integrated News