Brigade Commander: Dawlah Group Fired on Police-Military Team
Lanao del Sur Operation Neutralizes Suspected ISIS-Linked Militants, Reveals Shifting Tactics
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Marawi City, Lanao del Sur – A recent joint operation by the Philippine Army adn police in Lumbayanague, Lanao del Sur, resulted in the death of three suspected militants and the arrest of three others, all linked to extremist groups operating in the region. The operation, conducted on August 10, 2025, underscores the ongoing security challenges in Mindanao and reveals a concerning shift in tactics by local militant groups.
Operation Details and Casualties
Authorities acted on outstanding warrants of arrest for murder and homicide issued by the Regional Trial court in Marawi city in October 2023. The warrants carried no provision for bail.the operation targeted a known encampment of militants in the vicinity of Lumbayanague, a town bordering Butig, the birthplace of the Maute group responsible for the 2017 Marawi siege.
According to a report from the police Regional Office Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO BAR), the fatalities were identified as Mohammad Nasif Pangandama (alias Anwar Rahman), Rahma, and Abdullah Midtuon. Those arrested were Fahad Sarip Maruhom (aka Abu Zacaria), Norhan kamid (alias Al Wala), and Asnawi Abdullah.
One government soldier sustained injuries during the firefight but is currently in stable condition. Brigadier General Gilbert dela Rosa, commander of the operation, praised the professionalism of the troops, noting, “The decisive outcome with no civilian casualties despite that the target area was populated is a testament to the professionalism and discipline of all operating army and police troops.”
Weapons and ISIS Linkages
Investigators recovered a significant cache of weapons and materials from the encounter site,including M16 and M4A1 rifles,a homemade M79 grenade launcher,a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG),hand grenades,and two black flags bearing the markings of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). This revelation confirms the continued allegiance and operational links between local militant groups and the international terrorist association.
The operation occurred exactly three months after the killing of nasser Daud, leader of the Daulah Islamiya-Maute Group, in a separate encounter in Barangay Tambo, Bacolod-Kalawi town, Lanao del Sur on May 9, 2025.
from Insurgency to Criminality: A Changing Landscape
The recent operation highlights a disturbing trend: the evolution of militant groups in Lanao del Sur from large-scale insurgency to decentralized criminal activities. Drieza Lininding, leader of the Marawi Consensus Group, explained that dwindling financial support from ISIS has forced militants to seek alternative revenue streams.
“Money from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) have run dry. Most of its members are on the run or living in refugee camps in Syria. The ISIS in Lanao del Sur have to find innovative ways to survive,” Lininding stated. He further elaborated that these groups are now increasingly involved in the sale of illegal drugs, gunrunning, and providing security services for local politicians.Lininding also pointed to the influence of radical ulama who continue to promote extremist ideologies, attracting vulnerable Meranaw youth.This ideological component remains a significant challenge in countering violent extremism in the region.
The Threat Remains: Decentralization and Recruitment
while the operation successfully neutralized several militants, authorities acknowledge the ongoing threat posed by dispersed groups. De la Rosa revealed that only one of the six militants involved in the recent clash was a veteran of the 2017 Marawi siege, indicating a growing reliance on new recruits.”So they thought they were safe there but actually there is no safe place in Lanao del Sur (for them) because we will run after them,” De la Rosa affirmed, emphasizing the commitment of security forces to pursue remaining militants throughout the province.
The choice of Lumbayanague as a hideout, adjacent to Butig, underscores the historical significance of the area as a stronghold for extremist groups. However, authorities are determined to dismantle these networks and prevent the re-emergence of a large-scale insurgency. The evolving tactics of these groups,shifting from direct confrontation to criminal activities,necessitate a complete and adaptable security strategy.
(Froilan Gallardo with a report by Ferdinandh B. cabrera / MindaNews)