Two Men Linked to Goat Dealers Slay Killed in Mamasapano Clash
MANILA, Philippines — Two men suspected by the military as terrorists behind the killing of three goat dealers from Batangas were killed during a firefight in Mamasapano town, Maguindanao del Sur, this past weekend. The swift operation stopped a possible terrorist attack, authorities said.
The Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID) led a decisive military operation on Sunday targeting members of the Islamic State-affiliated Daulah Islamiyah-Hassan Group. Reports indicated that the group planned to plant improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in populated areas, prompting the operation.
“Once again, we have saved many innocent civilian lives,” said 6ID commander Major General Donald Gumiran. “Thanks to our soldiers’ quick action, the terrorists’ plan to spread violence in this peaceful Mindanao area was prevented.”
Details of the Bloody Clash
Brigadier General Edgar Catu, commander of the 601st Infantry Brigade, identified the two fatalities as Tahir Salim Suweb, 41, from Barangay Baka, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, and Benladin Adi Kamid, 23, from Barangay Macasampen, Guindulungan, Maguindanao del Sur.
Two other suspects, Junjun Kayogen Leosen, 37, and Rasul Mendoza Kariman, 31, both from Maguindanao del Sur, were wounded during the encounter and rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. Meanwhile, several members of the group fled the scene and remain at large.
Retaliation Linked to Goat Dealers’ Slay
Catu revealed the group was directly connected to the killing of the three goat dealers found dead in Barangay Nabundas, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao del Sur, on May 30. “The killed terrorists, their wounded captured comrades, and those who escaped are all linked to the killing of the Batangas businessmen,” he said on Monday.
He also reported the group involved itself in a string of thefts and civilian killings to support their armed faction’s logistics. The group was responsible for an ambush on government troops in Datu Hoffer, Maguindanao del Sur, last March, which left four soldiers dead.
Mamasapano: A History of Conflict
The recent clash occurred in Mamasapano, the same town that witnessed the tragic 2015 massacre of 44 police Special Action Force members during a failed mission to arrest high-ranking terrorists. Since then, sporadic armed encounters continue in the area, which remains a stronghold for armed groups.
Local leaders noted that security forces remain vigilant as they continue efforts to maintain peace in this troubled region.
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