ILIGAN CITY — Two alleged members of the Dawlah Islamiya–Maute Group, including a woman identified as the wife of one of the suspects, were killed during a joint military and police operation in Barangay Tampilong on Saturday night, Aug. 29.
The operation was carried out by the Philippine Army’s 103rd Infantry (Haribon) Brigade and the Lanao del Sur Police Provincial Office to serve arrest warrants against Khadafi Mimbisa, alias “Engineer,” and Mohaimen Hadji Ali, alias “Ibn Sali/Usama.”
Both were wanted for alleged violations of Republic Act 11479, or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.
According to the military, government forces came under fire while serving the warrants, triggering an armed encounter.
Hadji Ali and his wife, who was identified only by the alias “Nesren,” were killed during the clash, the 103rd Infantry Brigade said.
Authorities recovered an M16 rifle, a .45-caliber pistol and components believed to be intended for an improvised explosive device (IED) from the area.
The military identified Hadji Ali as the group’s media liaison and alleged financial link to ISIS Central. He was also allegedly involved in the fabrication and emplacement of IEDs used in the Dec. 3, 2023 bombing at Mindanao State University in Marawi City, which killed and injured civilians.
Mimbisa, meanwhile, escaped arrest during the operation.
The 103rd Infantry Brigade said the operation was part of continuing efforts to dismantle remaining terrorist elements and maintain peace and security in its area of responsibility.
