MAMASAPANO, Maguindanao del Sur — Government forces under the 33rd Infantry Battalion (33IB) of the Philippine Army scored a significant breakthrough on Friday, November 28, 2025, after successfully launching a support-to-law-enforcement operation targeting remnants of the Dawlah Islamiya–Hassan Group (DI-HG) in Sitio Kulalo, Barangay Manungkaling.
The operation, spearheaded by 33IB Commander LTC Germen T. Legada, began around 11:15 a.m. under the supervision of the 601st Infantry Brigade. It aimed to dismantle the armed group led by a certain @Marhom, who, along with his men, has been linked to some of the most violent attacks in Maguindanao del Sur in recent years.
By 12:30 p.m., soldiers recovered one M14 rifle, one .45-caliber pistol, and one hand grenade from one of the group’s hideouts. Troops continued clearing operations in the area to prevent the suspects from regrouping and to secure nearby communities.
The DI-HG faction led by @Marhom is tagged as the prime suspect in a series of atrocious crimes in the towns of Datu Hoffer, Shariff Aguak, and Mamasapano, including the beheading of an Indigenous People (IP) leader, the killing of three goat dealers, and the ambush of 40th Infantry Battalion troops in March 2024.
In a statement, Brigadier General Edgar L. Catu, Commander of the 601st Brigade, commended the battalion for its swift and decisive action.
“Pinupuri ko ang matagumpay na operasyon ng 33IB na patuloy na nangangalaga sa kapayapaan sa Central Mindanao. Ang pagrekober ng mga armas ay patunay ng determinasyon ng ating mga tropa na pigilan ang mga grupong patuloy na nagtatangkang manggulo at manakot sa ating mamamayan. Hindi kami titigil hanggang sa tuluyang ma-neutralize ang mga kriminal na ito at maibalik ang kapanatagan sa mga pamayanan,” Catu said.
Meanwhile, Major General Jose Vladimir R. Cagara, Commander of the 6th Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Central, emphasized that the recent success reflects the strong collaboration between the military, local government units, and residents.
“Ang 6ID kasundaluhan ay patuloy na katuwang ng mamamayan sa pagpapanatili ng siguridad at sa pagsugpo sa mga lawless elements. Ang tagumpay na ito ay bunga ng koordinasyon ng militar, lokal na pamahalaan, at mga mamamayan. Patuloy naming iingatan ang seguridad ng mamamayan upang makapamuhay nang ligtas at matiwasay,” Cagara stressed.
Security forces maintain heightened alert as pursuit operations continue against the remaining DI-HG members, vowing to bring justice to the victims and restore peace in conflict-affected communities in Maguindanao del Sur.