Four people, including a deputy commander of the Dawlah Islamiya Hassan Group, killed in gunfight in Maguindanao del Norte

Four people, including a deputy commander of the Dawlah Islamiya Hassan Group, killed in gunfight in Maguindanao del Norte

📌 On Friday, October 16, a gunfight broke out in Tapayan, Sultan Mastura, Maguindanao del Norte, Mindanao, while a joint police-military operation team was serving an arrest warrant. Four people, including the deputy commander of the armed group Dawlah Islamiya Hassan Group and three bodyguards, were killed.

■ Incident Details
· Police said that when the joint team—comprising the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), the Special Action Force (SAF), and the Philippine Army—approached, the suspects opened fire first, and the operation team returned fire.
· During a search of the scene after the gunfight, one rifle, three .45-caliber pistols, and one improvised explosive device (IED) were recovered.

■ Investigation and Current Status
· The deceased deputy commander had arrest warrants issued in 2021 and 2023 by courts in Cotabato City, Maguindanao del Sur (Shariff Aguak), and Lanao del Norte (Iligan) on charges including arson, murder, and violations of the anti-terrorism law.
· Police said he had been suspected of involvement in the Isulan bombing in Sultan Kudarat province and in murders and arson in Maguindanao del Sur, and that he was ranked fourth on the most-wanted list in Maguindanao del Sur province.

■ Notes for Residents and Travelers
· Some areas of Mindanao, including Maguindanao, continue to face security concerns related to armed groups. Check your government's travel advisories before traveling.
· Roads near military and police operation areas may be blocked; follow instructions from local authorities.

■ Sources
Daily Tribune (10/17), Pampanga Provincial Police Office (official Facebook, 10/18)

■ Photo
· Graphic from the Philippine National Police announcing this gunfight — Pampanga Police Provincial Office (official Facebook)