By Edwin Fernandez and Teofilo Garcia, Jr.
COTABATO CITY – Ten remnants of the local Dawlah Islamiya- Maute Group (DI-MG) behind the 2017 Marawi City siege were killed early Friday during a joint police-military operation in Marantao, Lanao del Sur.
Capt. Steffi Salanguit, speaking for the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), said the police team, alongside soldiers from the Army’s 1st Infantry Division (1st ID), was to serve arrest warrants for murder, frustrated homicide, kidnapping, and serious illegal detention against a DI-MG leader in Barangay Banga-Pantar when the group opened fire on the government forces.
An hour-long firefight erupted and ended with 10 suspected terrorists killed, including four female fighters.
Police identified the fatalities as Amerol Mangoranca, alias Usman, the leader of the DI-MG remnants; Fahmi Aminodin; Benjie Amir; Sohaile Borud; Jamal Ibrahim; Mohaimen Aragon; Nahara Khairiya Hamim (Benjie’s wife); alias Polindan (Mangoranca’s wife); and two unidentified females.
No casualties on the government side were reported during the 1 a.m. law enforcement operation. An infant was recovered from the house of Usman and was given immediate medical attention.
Government forces recovered five high-powered firearms, a hand grenade, and several bomb-making components from the slain terrorists.
Salanguit said the slain DI-MG members were the perpetrators of the ambush on government troops on Jan. 23, 2026, in Barangay Lininding, Munai, Lanao del Norte, which left four soldiers dead and one survivor injured.
Following the successful operation, the Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade (103Bde) has reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying operations with partner agencies to ensure the continued safety of communities and prevent the resurgence of extremist groups.
“This victory is proof of the courage and unwavering dedication of our troops. The action delivered a crushing blow to the DI-MG and reflects the strength of our joint and inter-agency collaboration,” Brig. Gen. Billy Dela Rosa, commander of the 103Bde, said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Yegor Rey P. Barroquillo Jr., 1st ID commander, stressed the significance of the operation to the campaign against terrorists in its area of operation.
“Today marks a defining chapter in our campaign against terrorism in Lanao. The neutralization of the DI-MG’s top leadership, the same network responsible for the Marawi siege and years of violence, demonstrates our unwavering resolve,” Barroquillo said in a separate statement. (PNA)
