DI terrorist leader, wife slain in Maguindanao clash

By Edwin Fernandez | Philippine News Agency

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – The leader of the Dawlah Islamiyah (DI) terror group in Mindanao and his wife were killed during a pre-dawn law enforcement operation in Maguindanao on Friday (Oct. 29).

Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, 6th Infantry Division commander, said in a news conference that Salahuddin Hassan and his wife were killed in remote Barangay Damablac, Talayan town.

Until his death, Hassan who carries the aliases Orak/Salah/Tulea/Abu Salman was the emir of the DI terror group operating in south-central Mindanao. He had a P1.3-million reward on his head.

The country’s Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) named Hassan as among the top terrorists operating in Mindanao.

In a December 2020 resolution, the ATC identified the Islamic State East Asia, the Maute Group, the DI, and other associated groups as “terrorist organizations.”

Uy said Hassan and his wife, Jehana Minbida, were killed following a brief firefight with government forces in Barangay Damablac.

His wife was the DI finance officer in Mindanao.

“Our troops were to arrest him (Hassan) but he resisted arrest and traded shots with lawmen,” said Uy, also the commander of Joint Task Force Central.

He said locals have alerted units of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade under Colonel Pedro Balisi about the presence of gunmen in Barangay Damablac.

After confirming the report, the Army hatched an operation to arrest Hassan that led to the exchange of gunfire.

Police and military authorities have tagged Hassan for the burning and bombings of Yellow Bus Lines in North Cotabato this year, and also for the series of terror attacks in Maguindanao, North Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat.

Hassan was also linked to the Sept. 2, 2016 bombing of a night market in Davao City that left 14 dead and hurt more than 60 others.

Relatives claimed the remains of the slain couple and immediately buried them according to Islamic rites. (PNA) – bny

Popular

SSS to roll out 3-year pension hike starting September 2025

By Anna Leah Gonzales | Philippine News Agency State-run Social Security System (SSS) said it will implement a Pension Reform Program, which features a structured,...

DOE to talk with DSWD, DILG for Lifeline Rate utilization

By Joann Villanueva | Philippine News Agency The Department of Energy (DOE) is set to discuss with other government agencies the inclusion of more Pantawid...

Zero-billing for basic accommodation in DOH hospitals applicable to everyone —Herbosa

By Brian Campued The “zero balance billing” being implemented in all Department of Health (DOH)-run hospitals across the country is applicable to everyone as long...

DepEd committed to address classroom shortage

By Brian Campued Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara on Wednesday emphasized the importance of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in addressing the shortage of classrooms...