Two alleged members of the Dawlah Islamiyah-Hassan Group were killed while two others were injured and arrested in an armed encounter in Barangay Libutan, Mamasapano, Maguindanao del Sur on Sunday, June 22, 2025.
According to the 6th Infantry Division (6ID), the troops of the 6th Infantry Battalion, 33rd Infantry Battalion, and other operating units launched a military operation after receiving information that the members of the terrorist group were gathering and planning to plant improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in crowded places in the area.
During the operation, two members of the group were killed. They were residents of Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte and Guindulungan, Maguindanao del Sur.
Two others were also injured and arrested. They were brought to the hospital for treatment.
The military seized from the clash site two M16A1 rifles, a caliber .45 pistol, components of IED, an unexploded ordnance, cellphones, a monocular scope, fake IDs, and communication devices, among others.
601st Infantry Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Edgar Catu, ordered the troops to pursue other members of the group who escaped.
Catu said the group has alleged links to the killing of three businessmen from Batangas on May 30, 2025.
The victims who had traveled to Maguindanao del Sur reportedly to deliver goats were found dead and buried at a rubber plantation in Barangay Nabundas, Shariff Saydona Mustapha.
“Hindi tayo titigil sa pagtugis sa mga natitirang miyembro ng grupong ito. Ang mga napatay na terorista, mga sugatang naaresto at kasamahan nilang nakatakas ay may direktang kaugnayan sa pagpaslang sa tatlong negosyanteng nagmula pa sa Batangas at natagpuang patay sa Barangay Nabundas, Shariff Saydona Mustapha noong Mayo 30 at sa iba pang mga serye ng nakawan at pagpatay ng mga sibilyan upang matustusan ang mga logistical na pangangailangan ng nasabing armadong grupo,” Catu said.
The group was also allegedly involved in the ambush of military troops in Datu Hoffer in March 2024 that killed four soldiers.
“Sila rin ang pangunahing suspek sa pananambang sa ating mga tropa sa Datu Hoffer noong Marso ng nakaraang taon, na ikinasawi ng apat nating sundalo,” Catu added.
6ID Commander, Major General Donald Gumiran, lauded the troops for their swift response.
“Muli nating naisalba ang maraming buhay ng mga inosenteng sibilyan. Sa maagap na pagtugon ng ating kasundaluhan, nabigo ang plano ng mga lokal na terorista na maghasik ng karahasan sa mapayapang lugar na ito ng Mindanao. Hindi tayo magpapadala sa kanilang pananakot. Ang tagumpay na ito ay para sa kapayapaan at seguridad ng ating mga kababayan,” Gumiran said.
