Islamic terror group leader slain in Maguindanao del Sur
SHARIFF AGUAK, MAGUINDANAO DEL SUR—The military believed they scored a major victory against the Islamic terror group Daulah Islamiyah (DI) when they announced the death of the group’s “amir” (leader or commander) in a clash with government troops in the village of Satan here at 5 a.m. on Sunday.
Ustadz Mohammad Usman Solaiman, identified as amir of the terror DI-Hassan Group, was the brother of Ustadz Kamaro Usman, a member of the DI-Hassan Group who was killed in a clash with government forces in Ampatuan town in March 2020; and a Commander Badi of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), Brig. Gen. Edgar Catu, commander of the Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade based in Ampatuan town, told the Inquirer on Monday.
According to Catu, Solaiman was known as the bomb maker of the DI-Hassan group and cousin of Basit Usman, the slain BIFF leader responsible for several attacks against government forces in Maguindanao del Sur.
Catu said Solaiman and Norodin Hassan, the amir for military affairs of DI-Hassan Group, were candidates to replace alias Abu Azim, the slain leader of the DI and BIFF alliance.
Atrocities
Solaiman’s group has been tagged in the series of bomb attacks against civilian targets, including the bombing of Rural Bus in Parang, Maguindanao del Norte, on April 24, 2022; the bombings of Yellow Bus units in Tacurong City in Sultan Kuradat province and Koronadal City in South Cotabato on May 26, 2022; and the bombing of Yellow Bus unit on Nov. 6, 2022, in Tacurong City’s bus terminal.
The same group was also responsible for the bombing of a Husky double deck bus at the bus terminal of Isulan town in South Cotabato on April 17, 2023; the ambush of 40th Infantry Battalion Army troopers in Barangay Tuayan, Datu Hofer, Maguindanao del Sur; and the robbery-slay of three goat vendors from Batangas discovered buried in a shallow grave in Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao del Sur, in June this year.
Catu lauded the civilians brave enough to report Solaiman’s location to government forces.
Civilians’ role
“The civilian information helped our troops in locating the terrorist group in the village of Satan, Shariff Aguak,” Catu said.
Solaiman’s companions managed to escape during the skirmishes, the military said.
“We urge the remnants of DI and BIFF to avail of the government’s offer of peace,” said Maj. Gen. Vladimir Cagara, commander of the 6th Infantry Division, the mother unit of the 601st Infantry Battalion.
