Four pro-Islamic State terrorists killed in Mindanao firefight
The four include a sub-leader's son.
MAGUINDANAO DEL NORTE (Philippines): Four members of a pro-Islamic State group, including a sub-leader’s son, were reportedly killed in a clash with government forces early on Monday (17 March) in Barira town, Maguindanao del Norte province.
According to Lt. Col. John dela Cruz, the commanding officer of the Marine Battalion Landing Team-2 (MBLT2), the encounter took place at Sitio Palao in Barira village.
Military troops, in coordination with other units, engaged the Dawlah Islamiyah group led by Emarudin Kasan Kulaw after receiving reports from residents about the presence of armed men in the area, PhilStar reported.
Those killed were identified as Mustapha Kasan Kulaw, Abdullah (an alias) and Pudin (also an alias), the son of Emarudin. The fourth fatality has yet to be identified.
Another news report indicated that the group involved in the firefight was the Dawlah Islamiyah-Hassan Group.
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The Marines recovered various firearms and ammunition from the encounter site, including two M16 rifles, a grenade launcher, two .45-caliber pistols and several magazines and bullets.
Brig. Gen. Romulo Quemado II, the commander of the 1st Marine Brigade, confirmed that Emarudin was listed in the joint order of battle of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police.
Dawlah Islamiyah is an Arabic term used to describe local terrorist groups aligned with the Islamic State.