ISIS Philippines leader, 10 followers killed in military operation
Operation in mountainous area of Maguindanao del Sur province.
MAGUINDANAO DEL SUR: The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has killed the leader of the Filipino chapter of the Islamic State terror group and 10 of his followers in an operation in the southern province of Maguindanao del Sur on Friday (Dec. 1), military officials said.
The Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID), in a statement Saturday (Dec. 2), said the 11 members of a local terrorist group, including the “proclaimed Ameer of Dawlah Islamiyah-Philippines” (DI-Philippines), were killed in “decisive military operations” in the mountainous area of Mother Tuayan village, Datu Hoffer Ampatuan municipality.
6ID did not name the slain DI-Philippines leader, but Ismail Abubakar, also known as Abu Turaifie, the emir of the Turaifie faction of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) terror group, had earlier been reported to be the leader of DI-Philippines.
Abu Turaifie and some followers were earlier reported to have surrendered to 6ID in August but the Philippine military did not confirm or deny this when contacted by this writer.
This writer has reached out to the AFP, 6ID and Western Mindanao Command for confirmation that the slain leader was Abu Turaifie.
The Turaifie faction is one of two BIFF factions aligned with the Islamic State.
Brigadier General Oriel Pangcog, the 601st Infantry Brigade commander, said in the statement that the community had provided information indicating the terrorist group's consolidation.
Consequently, the operation, supported by air units, targeted the exact location where the enemy was hiding.
“Our operating troops recovered 10 high-powered firearms in the area, including two M14 rifles, seven M16 rifles, one rocket-propelled grenade and three explosives,” Pangcog said.
Major General Alex Rillera, the commander of 6ID and Joint Task Force Central, emphasised that the consolidation of these terrorists was reportedly due to their “wicked plan to cast terror that shall disrupt economic activities and undermine the prevailing peace not only in the communities of Datu Hoffer Ampatuan town but also across Central and South-Central Mindanao.”
“Despite this, peaceful living will prevail thanks to the ongoing cooperation of the public and stakeholders,” he added.
Government troops collected fingerprints from the deceased individuals for further confirmation of their identities, said 6ID further.
Bangsamoro police’s crime scene investigators and 6ID’s imam were quickly deployed in the area to process the neutralised enemy personalities and conduct blessings to the mass grave.
The recovered high-powered firearms and war materials were safely secured by the authorities, added 6ID.