MANILA, Philippines — A sub-leader of the Dawlah Islamiya militant group and three of his companions were killed in a joint police-military operation in Sultan Mastura, Maguindanao del Norte, on Friday afternoon.
Authorities reported on Saturday that the slain sub-leader was Yusa Ganoy, also known as “Minimi” or “Commander Usa.”
The operation was conducted by a joint team of police and military personnel serving multiple arrest warrants when the suspects allegedly opened fire, prompting an armed encounter.
Authorities recovered an assault rifle, three .45-caliber pistols and an improvised explosive device from the scene.
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 part of ongoing efforts by security forces to pursue wanted members of Dawlah Islamiya, a militant group operating in parts of Mindanao.
Authorities have yet to establish publicly whether Ganoy’s death would significantly affect the group’s remaining leadership and operational capabilities.