The military on Monday said it is tracking down the remaining members of the Dawlah Islamiyah–Hassan Group (DI-HG) following the killing of its highest-ranking leader and chief bomb expert during an operation in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur, on Sunday.
Ustads Mohammad Usman Solaiman, known as the “Amir” or leader of the DI-HG, was killed in an encounter with elements of the 601st Infantry Brigade (601Bde) in Barangay Satan, according to its commander, Brig. General Edgar Catu.
Solaiman, a seasoned bomb maker and nephew of notorious Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) BIFF bomb expert Basit Usman, was long tagged as one of the most dangerous operatives in Central Mindanao.
According to the 6th Infantry Division (6ID), Solaiman and Norodin Hassan, alias Andot, who serves as the group’s amir for military affairs, were among the last senior lieutenants of former DI-HG leader Abu Azim, who was killed in 2021.
Solaiman’s group had been linked to multiple high-profile attacks in Mindanao, including the April 2022 bombing of a Rural Tours Bus in Parang, Maguindanao, that injured six passengers as well as the twin explosions targeting Yellow Bus Line units in Koronadal City, South Cotabato, and Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat in May 2022.
They are also believed to be behind the November 2022 bus bombing in Tacurong; the Husky Bus bombing at Isulan Integrated Terminal in April 2023; the ambush of soldiers in Datu Hoffer Ampatuan; and the killing of three goat traders from Batangas in May this year.
Catu said the operation succeeded with the help of residents who reported the presence of armed men in their community.
“Ang kooperasyon ng taumbayan ang naging daan upang matukoy ang galaw at lokasyon ng grupo. Dahil dito ay matagumpay na naisagawa ang operasyon laban sa pinuno ng Dawlah Islamiya (The cooperation of the community made it possible to track the group’s movements and location. Because of this, the operation against the Dawlah Islamiyah leader was successfully carried out),” he said.
Major General Jose Vladimir R. Cagara, commander of 6ID and Joint Task Force Central, lauded the coordination between soldiers and residents.
He noted that the latest strike weakened the network of Dawlah Islamiyah in the region.
“This success shows that when the community, our soldiers, and other government security forces work together, no terrorist can hide from the law. We are deeply grateful to our fellow citizens for consistently providing accurate information to JTF Central,” he stressed.
He urged remaining DI-HG members to surrender and take government assistance for reintegration.
“I also urge the remaining members of Dawlah Islamiya to lay down their arms. The government is ready to help you start a new life with your families. The door to peace is always open to those who choose to change,” he added.
