Marantao: Ten remnants of the local Dawlah Islamiya-Maute Group (DI-MG), linked to the 2017 Marawi City siege, were killed early Friday during a coordinated police-military operation in Marantao, Lanao del Sur. Capt. Steffi Salanguit, spokesperson for the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), stated that the operation aimed to serve arrest warrants for charges including murder, frustrated homicide, kidnapping, and serious illegal detention against a DI-MG leader in Barangay Banga-Pantar. The group opened fire on the approaching government forces, prompting an hour-long firefight.
According to Philippines News Agency, the confrontation resulted in the deaths of ten suspected terrorists, including four female fighters. Among the fatalities were Amerol Mangoranca, alias Usman, the leader of the DI-MG remnants, and other identified members: 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. Significantly, the operation concluded without any casualties on the government side. An infant was rescued from Usman's residence and received immediate medical care.
Authorities recovered five high-powered firearms, a hand grenade, and various bomb-making components from the site. Salanguit noted that the slain DI-MG members were responsible for an ambush on government troops on January 23, 2026, in Barangay Lininding, Munai, Lanao del Norte, which resulted in four soldiers' deaths and one injury.
Following the operation, the Army's 103rd Infantry Brigade (103Bde) pledged to intensify cooperative efforts with partner agencies to safeguard communities and thwart extremist activities. Brig. Gen. Billy Dela Rosa, commander of the 103Bde, highlighted the operation's success as a testament to the courage and dedication of the troops, emphasizing its impact on disrupting the DI-MG.
Maj. Gen. Yegor Rey P. Barroquillo Jr., commander of the 1st Infantry Division, underscored the operation's significance in the ongoing fight against terrorism in the region. He noted the operation marked a pivotal moment in dismantling the DI-MG's leadership, the same network accountable for the Marawi siege and prolonged violence in the area.
