Rajah Buayan, Maguindanao del Sur — A police anti-drug operation in Rajah Buayan turned deadly Monday afternoon when a suspected member of the Dawlah Islamiya terror group, wanted for multiple crimes, was killed in an encounter with law enforcers.
Police identified the suspect as Moner Usman, a resident of Barangay Darampua, Sultan sa Barongis, who was linked to the Dawlah Islamiya Hassan Group. Usman was also facing six standing warrants of arrest for two counts of murder, carnapping, and three counts of frustrated murder.
According to Rajah Buayan Police Chief Captain Joel Lebrilla, joint forces from the local police, the PNP Special Action Force (SAF), and other units were about to conduct a buy-bust operation and serve Usman’s warrants in Barangay Sapakan around 4:00 p.m. when the suspect reportedly sensed he was dealing with authorities.
This led to an exchange of gunfire, resulting in Usman’s death. One police officer was wounded in the clash.
Recovered at the scene were a firearm, ammunition, and illegal drugs, reinforcing the growing evidence of the nexus between terrorism and the illegal drug trade in Mindanao. Authorities said extremist groups like Daulah Islamiya have been known to engage in narco-funding to sustain their operations, recruit members, and acquire weapons.
“This incident shows how terrorism and illegal drugs are intertwined. Criminals like Usman not only spread violence through terrorism but also exploit the drug trade to fuel their activities,” Lebrilla said.
The police assured residents that operations against both terrorism and illegal drugs will intensify in the province, stressing that dismantling these networks is vital to ensuring peace and security in Maguindanao del Sur and neighboring areas.