Philippine Army names slain ISIS Philippines leader, says thwarted bombing attack with offensive that killed him
His name was Abdulrah Sapal a.k.a. Bro Sapal.
MAGUINDANAO DEL NORTE: The Philippine Army has named Friday’s slain leader of the Islamic State in the Philippines as Abdulrah Sapal a.k.a. Bro Sapal and has also announced that the heavy offensive that killed him and his 10 followers had thwarted a bomb attack and bombing training by the local terror group.
The Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID), in an email to SEA MILITANCY Monday (Dec. 12), has also named Sapal’s second-in-command as Nasser Guinaid Saptullah a.k.a. Nasser, and said Nasser had replaced Ismail Abubakar a.k.a. Abu Turaifie as the leader of another pro-Islamic State group, Dawlah Islamiyah - Turaifie Group.
Nasser was also killed in Friday’s ground and air offensive, said 6ID.
“In a swift and highly successful military operation on December 1, 2023, the 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division of the Philippine Army, in collaboration with Joint Task Force Central, effectively thwarted a planned terrorist attack by the Daulah Islamiyah – Philippines group,” said 6ID in the email.
“The operation, executed by units under the 6ID/JTF-Central, and led by Major General Alex S. Rillera, the Division Commander, resulted in the neutralization of high-ranking leaders and members of the extremist group.
“Among those neutralized was Abdulrah Sapal, also known as Bro Sapal, the group's alleged new overall Amir of DI-Philippines. The second-in-command, Nasser Guinaid Saptullah, also known as Nasser, who had replaced alias Abu Turaifie as the leader of DI-TG, was also killed, alongside nine of their followers.”
The military's preemptive action, 6ID added, was crucial in disrupting the group's plans to unleash violence in crowded areas during this holiday season.
Rillera underscored the urgency of the operation, stating in the email: "Under Sapal's leadership, Daulah Islamiyah intended to train their followers how to make improvised explosive devices, planning to sow violence in populated areas as we celebrate the holiday season.
“Our soldiers promptly conducted the operation to eliminate any threats to our security.”
6ID said before the ground assault, the military conducted a closed air support operation, deploying attack helicopters that released high-precision rockets, “precisely commensurate to the target enemy forces based on intelligence reports.”
“This decisive action effectively neutralized the improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and anti-personnel mines they had assembled, leading to the demise and dismemberment of their bodies,” said 6ID.
During a visit to the incident site, the village captain of Mother Tuayan, the site of the offensive in the southern province of Maguindanao del Sur, expressed sorrow upon witnessing the recovery of a solar panel stolen by Daulah-Islamiyah in Sitio Bagurot in the same municipality.
"Our solar panels went missing in the barangay because they were stolen by Daulah Islamiyah, individuals who seem to have no purpose in life other than to commit evil," stated the village leader in the email from 6ID.
With the elimination of the terrorist threat, 6ID said, the residents displaced by Daulah Islamiyah can now safely return to their agricultural activities in the area.
Rillera also urged remaining members of Daulah Islamiyah to surrender to the government.
"While we prefer a resolution without loss of life, if such violence persists, we will not hesitate to neutralize these terrorists. Our armed forces are ready to defend our countrymen, protect our citizens, and ensure the safety of innocent civilians," declared Rillera.
“The success of the operation reflects the unwavering commitment of various units under Kampilan troopers to safeguard the people of Central and South-Central Mindanao against terrorist threats, ensuring the safety and security of its citizens during the holiday season and beyond.”
The Western Mindanao Command told SEA MILITANCY on Sunday (Dec. 3) that the slain leader of the Islamic State of the Philippines belonged to Dawlah Islamiyah - Hassan Group, another pro-Islamic State group.
With today’s announcement by 6ID, it appears both the Hassan Group and Turaifie Group are working together.
SEA MILITANCY has asked 6ID about this potential dynamic and is awaiting a response.
Abu Turaifie was earlier reported by SEA MILITANCY to have surrendered to 6ID in August, but this has not been confirmed by the Army.
SEA MILITANCY has requested 6ID to comment on this reported related past development.