ZAMBOANGA CITY – According to military officials, a mid-level leader of the Dawlah Islamiya (DI)-Maguid group was killed in an intelligence-driven special military operation in the Maguindanao province on Wednesday, May 12.
Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), identified the slain Di-Maguid group mid-level leader as Kopang Sahak alias Tarzan, who was killed during the Tuesday encounter.
Vinluan revealed the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade troops launched the special operation after they received of report that Sahak’s group was sighted in Barangay Dapaiawan, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao.
“With the neutralization of their leader, it is expected that the group will weaken,” Vinluan said.
Col. Pedro Balisi, commander of the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade, said that Sahak is included in the Department of National Defense (DND) Arrest Order No. 216 and has standing warrant of arrest for frustrated murder.
The troops ferociously fought the group of Sahak after which his followers scampered in different directions.
“We continue to mount our offensives to neutralize the remaining members of the Dawlah Islamiya-Maguid Group in the area,” Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, commander of the Joint Task Force (JTF)-Central, said.
Since January 2021, a total of 11 Dawlah Islamiya terrorists were killed in clashes in central Mindanao. “To the troops, let us remain steadfast as we continue to gain grounds in the campaign against terrorism and lawlessness in our area of operation,” Vinluan added. – Nikolai Gonzalo
