PIKIT, Cotabato Province — Five individuals identified by authorities as suspected members of the Dawlah Islamiyah-Hassan Group (DI-HG), an armed group linked by Philippine security forces to ISIS, were killed during a law enforcement operation that turned into an armed encounter in Barangay Inug-ug, Pikit, Cotabato Province on Thursday afternoon, August 6.
According to the Maguindanao del Sur Police Provincial Office (MDS PPO), the operation was launched at around 2:15 p.m. to serve multiple warrants of arrest against Marhum Esmael, also known as “Marhom,” who was identified by authorities as the alleged leader of the Dawlah Islamiyah-Hassan Group. Police described him as the Top 1 Most Wanted Person at both the regional level in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and the provincial level in Maguindanao del Sur.
The operation also targeted four other alleged members of the armed group—Halim Sansawi Usman, Ali Hassan, Rasul Tito, and Baby Ayunan Camsa—who, according to authorities, were facing multiple warrants of arrest for murder, frustrated murder, attempted murder, and robbery.
The joint law enforcement operation was carried out under the Maguindanao del Sur Police Provincial Office’s COPLAN “SPMS” and the Maguindanao Provincial Intelligence Office-Dawlah Islamiyah COPLAN “TSUNAMI,” with support from several military, police, and intelligence units.
Participating forces included the Philippine Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade, 602nd Infantry Brigade, 40th Infantry Battalion, 26th Military Intelligence Company, 6th Mechanized Infantry Battalion, Pikit Municipal Police Station, Provincial Mobile Force Company of Maguindanao del Sur, Regional Mobile Force Battalion-14A, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), Regional Intelligence Units of Regions 12 and BARMM, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA)-BARMM, Provincial Intelligence Unit of Cotabato PPO, and other intelligence elements.
The operation was conducted under the supervision of Maguindanao del Sur Police Provincial Director Police Colonel Michael John C. Mangahis, with Provincial Intelligence Unit chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Salvador D. Tabi and Assistant PIU chief Police Major Adones M. Guiambangan leading the police component, in coordination with military commanders Brigadier General Edgar L. Catu of the 601st Infantry Brigade and Brigadier General Ricky P. Bunayog of the 602nd Infantry Brigade.
Authorities say suspects resisted arrest
According to the police accomplishment report, tactical teams first secured the target area before identifying themselves as government forces and ordering the wanted individuals to surrender peacefully.
Authorities alleged that the suspects instead opened fire on the operating teams, prompting government forces to return fire in what police described as an act of self-defense.
The exchange of gunfire reportedly lasted about 15 minutes.
Following the encounter, authorities declared the area secure and reported that all five target personalities had been killed. No fatalities or injuries were reported among government troops.
Police added that at least one suspected member of the group managed to flee during the encounter. Follow-up operations remain ongoing to determine the individual’s identity and possible whereabouts.
Authorities link slain suspects to previous attacks
Authorities identified Marhum Esmael as one of the principal figures of the Dawlah Islamiyah-Hassan Group and alleged that he played a key role in several attacks against government forces and civilians.
According to the MDS PPO, Esmael was allegedly responsible for the planning and execution of the March 28, 2026 ambush in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur, in which five police personnel were killed and three others wounded. Police said technical intelligence identified him as the alleged mastermind behind the attack.
Authorities also alleged that Halim Sansawi Usman participated in the July 12, 2026 ambush against two members of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 12. Police further claimed that firearms taken from the slain officers were later recovered in his possession.
These allegations are based on the official account of law enforcement authorities and had not been adjudicated in court.
Intelligence-led operation
Security officials said the operation was the result of several days of intelligence monitoring.
According to the accomplishment report, intelligence operatives from the PNP and AFP were able to pinpoint the location of the group three days before the operation, allowing authorities to plan what they described as a precise law enforcement mission to implement outstanding warrants of arrest.
Police said the neutralization of the group’s alleged leader and other members represents a significant setback to the Dawlah Islamiyah-Hassan Group, which authorities have linked to previous ambushes, harassment attacks, bombings, and other violent incidents in Central Mindanao.
Firearms recovered
Following the firefight, government troops conducted clearing operations in the area and recovered several weapons believed to have been used by the armed group.
The Philippine Army reported recovering two M16A1 caliber 5.56-mm rifles with short magazines. In a separate military report, authorities also disclosed the recovery of two handguns and one hand grenade, all of which will undergo forensic examination as part of the continuing investigation.
Authorities said additional evidence recovered from the scene will be subjected to ballistic and forensic analysis.
Military confirms operation
The encounter was confirmed by Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Suscano, spokesperson of the 6th Infantry “Kampilan” Division and Joint Task Force Central, who said the firefight occurred during a law enforcement operation against individuals wanted for various criminal offenses.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel Erwin Jay E. Dumaghan, commanding officer of the 40th Infantry Battalion, identified the fatalities as Marhom Esmael, Ameer Hassan, Asnawi Sansawi Usman, one individual identified only as “Alias Ali,” and another person whose identity had yet to be officially established.
The military noted that validation of the identities of the remaining fatalities continues.
Authorities vow continued operations
In a statement, Police Colonel Michael John C. Mangahis said the operation demonstrated the government’s resolve to pursue individuals accused of violent crimes.
“Crime does not pay. Those who embrace violence and lawlessness; those who defy authority and sow terror, will face justice delivered at their very doorsteps. The guardians of peace will remain unwavering, and the rule of law will prevail: unyielding, resolute, and steadfast.”
Major General Jose Vladimir R. Cagara, Acting Commander of the Western Mindanao Command, Commander of the 6th Infantry “Kampilan” Division, and Joint Task Force Central, likewise said security forces would continue pursuing remaining members of local terrorist groups while encouraging the public to cooperate with authorities by providing information that could help prevent future attacks.
Lawyer raises questions, investigation continues
Despite the official account released by police and military authorities, the incident has also drawn public attention after Bangsamoro lawyer Atty. Badrodin Mangindra publicly raised questions regarding the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the five men.
Mangindra called for a careful examination of the operation, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that law enforcement actions remain consistent with due process and the rule of law, particularly in operations involving the service of warrants of arrest.
As of this writing, authorities have not reported any formal complaint concerning the conduct of the operation, and no independent investigative body has released findings contradicting the official narrative presented by the police and military.
Crime scene processing, forensic examinations, and verification of evidence remain ongoing as the Pikit Municipal Police Station, Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO), and other investigative units continue to establish the full circumstances surrounding the armed encounter.
Authorities have yet to release a final after-operation report, and further developments are expected as the investigation progresses.