Maguindanao Sur: Military authorities here reported Monday the killing of two suspected local terrorists, believed to be behind recent atrocities against civilians and soldiers in Maguindanao del Sur. The two slain terrorists were identified as Dawlah Islamiya (DI)-Hassan Group members Tahir Salim Suweb, 41, from Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte; and Benladin Adi Kamid, 23, from Guindulungan, Maguindanao del Sur.

According to Philippines News Agency, the two were linked to the hold-up and killing of three vendors of hybrid goats in Shariff Saydona Mustapha. The bodies of the victims were found in a shallow grave on May 30. Their sales, personal belongings, mobile phones, and van were missing and have not been found since. The suspects were also connected to the killing of four soldiers who were marketing in Datu Hofer Ampatuan on May 17, 2024.

Brig. Gen. Edgar Catu, commander of the Army's 601st Infantry Brigade, said the two arrested suspects, Junjun Kayogen Leosen, 37, of Datu Saudi Ampatuan, and Rasul Mendoza Kariman, 31, of Guindulungan, were injured in the clash and received medical intervention from the military. Catu said the Army responded to residents' reports of the presence of gun-toting individuals in Barangay Libutan, Mamasapano, at about 1 a.m. Sunday.

'They were planning to launch bombing sorties in civilian areas,' Catu said, citing intelligence information. Following the firefight, soldiers discovered two M16 rifles, a .45-caliber pistol, bomb-making materials, a fully assembled improvised explosive device, mobile phones, and other personal items, including various identification cards.