By FERDINANDH CABRERA
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MAGUINDANAO DEL NORTE — A sub-leader of the Dawlah Islamiya and three of his cohorts were killed in an armed encounter with a joint police and military team in Sultan Mastura, Maguindanao del Norte, on Friday afternoon, authorities said.
Captain Steffi Salanguit, spokesperson for the Police Regional Office–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), identified the primary target as Yusa Ganoy, also known as “Minimi,” “Commander Usa,” and “Yousa Ganoy.”
Ganoy was listed as Priority Sanction Target No. 11 and ranked as the fourth most wanted person at the provincial level in Maguindanao del Sur. He was a sub-leader of the Dawlah Islamiya Hassan Group under the Alpha King faction, which authorities have linked to bombings, killings, and arson attacks in Maguindanao del Sur and neighboring Sultan Kudarat.
The operation was conducted around 3:30 p.m. in Sitio Masagana, Barangay Tapayan, under Oplan Pagtugis and Oplan Paglalansag Omega.
The composite team was led by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Cotabato City Field Unit, with support from the CIDG Regional Special Operations Team, Regional Intelligence Unit-15, Mobile Detention Network, the 41st Special Action Company of the 4th Special Action Battalion, the 1st Intelligence Company, the 1st Infantry Battalion, the 2nd Marine Brigade, the National Intelligence Support Group–Eastern Mindanao, and the Sultan Mastura Police Station.
The operatives were serving multiple arrest warrants against Ganoy issued by various courts. The warrants covered charges including destructive arson, direct assault, multiple counts of frustrated murder, double murder, qualified direct assault with multiple attempted murder, and violations of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.
Salanguit said Ganoy and three unidentified companions resisted arrest and opened fire on the approaching operatives, triggering a shootout that resulted in the deaths of all four suspects.
Authorities recovered an assault rifle, three .45-caliber pistols, and an improvised explosive device from the area.
"This is a significant accomplishment in our campaign against lawlessness and terrorism. The dismantling of this cell ensures the safety of our communities from further atrocities," Salanguit said. — VBL, GMA News