Army recovers guns, explosives after clash with Maguindanao terrorists

COTABATO CITY, BARMM, Philippines — Government forces clashed with combined armed groups composed of Dawlah Islamiya (DI) Hassan Group, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), and Panenekelan criminal gang in Maguindanao del Sur early Thursday morning.

Two local terrorists were also arrested during intensified law enforcement operation in Maguindanao del Sur.

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Soldiers of the Army’s 38th Infantry Battalion, led by its battalion commander, Lt. Col. Erwin Felongco, engaged the combined forces of DI-BIFF-Panenekelan groups in a firefight beginning at 5:30 a.m. on July 23 in Barangay Inaladan, Shariff Saydona Mustapha town.

The firefight lasted for about 30 minutes until the gunmen retreated.

Brig. Gen. Edgar Catu, commander of the Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade, said pursuing government forces recovered two high-powered firearms near the clash site, including an M16 rifle and an M1 Garand rifle.

The military noted that the armed group’s strength had already been significantly weakened following the death of Esmael Abubakar, alias “Commander Bungos,” leader of the BIFF-Bungos Faction, during a military operation in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte on July 5, 2026, and the arrest of Muslimin Amilil, one of the leaders of the Panenekelan group and an alleged bomb maker for the BIFF and Dawlah Islamiyah, in Barangay Tukanalipao, Mamasapano on July 21.

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Catu said these setbacks forced the remaining members of the armed groups to consolidate their forces.

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He said the ongoing military campaign was launched following the ambush of police personnel in Shariff Aguak in March and was followed by armed encounters in Datu Hoffer Ampatuan and Mamasapano towns.

“The death of Esmael Abubakar, alias ‘Bungos,’ and the arrest of Muslimin Amilil dealt a major blow to the group, prompting its remaining members to unite,” Catu said.

“We will continue clearing our areas of responsibility to ensure that the first-ever BARMM Parliamentary Elections will be conducted in a peaceful and secure environment,” Catu said.

On July 22, two alleged members of the Panenekelan criminal gang, including a 20-year-old student, were arrested during a joint police and military operation Tuesday afternoon in Barangay Tukanalipao, Mamasapano, Maguindanao del Sur.

Police Capt. Steffi Salanguit, spokesperson for Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, identified the arrested suspects as Alias Saidemn, 20, a student, and Alias Razid, an adult, both residents of Tukanalipao village.

They were believed to be members of the Panenekelan criminal gang, an armed group allied with Dawlah Islamiyah and BIFF operating in the so-called “SPMS box,” an Army term for the adjoining towns of Shariff Aguak, Datu Saudi Ampatuan (formerly Pagatin), Mamasapano and Shariff Saydona Mustapha.

Police said the two were arrested following the arrest of Muslimin Amilil, former BIFF member and known bomb maker linked to the March 28, 2026 ambush in Shariff Aguak that left five police officers killed.

The arrested suspects were associates of Amilil. Police recovered from them a .45-caliber pistol, ammunition, and two hand grenades.

Maj. Gen. Jose Vladimir Cagara, commander of the 6th Infantry Division, commended the troops for their successful operation.

“Every firearm we recover represents lives saved from violence. The dismantling of their leadership and the voluntary surrender of members of violent extremist groups are clear indications that their organization is steadily weakening,” he said.