SHARIFF AGUAK, Maguindanao del Sur – Five police officers were killed and three others wounded in an ambush Saturday night in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur, an attack authorities have attributed to the Dawlah Islamiyah (DI), a local extremist group with ties to the Islamic State. The ambush, which occurred around 9:10 p.m. As the officers were returning to Camp Datu Akilan, has prompted a swift response from regional authorities and renewed concerns about security in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The slain officers have been identified as Kenneth Perocho, Al-Fatah Marohom, Amil Bangsa, Arsenal Sivih, and Sayed Ridwan. Those injured – PLt Alfred Gregory, PSSg Adam Kansi, and Pat Abubakar Lauban – are receiving medical care. The incident underscores the persistent threat posed by extremist groups in the region, even as the BARMM government works to establish lasting peace and stability. This latest attack on law enforcement follows a pattern of violence in the area, raising questions about the evolving tactics of the DI and the challenges facing security forces.
Captain Steffi Salanguit, spokesperson for the Police Regional Office of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), stated that the attack “is a possible indication of their weakening forces, where the remaining members of the group are allegedly becoming desperate to sow fear and show presence.” While investigations are ongoing and no suspects have been publicly named, authorities believe the DI was responsible for orchestrating the ambush. Three long firearms and three short firearms were reportedly seized by the attackers, adding to concerns about the potential for further violence.
The Dawlah Islamiyah and its History in Mindanao
The Dawlah Islamiyah, too known as the Islamic State-linked group in the Philippines, has been a source of instability in Mindanao for years. The group first gained prominence during the 2017 siege of Marawi City, where militants aligned with the Islamic State (ISIS) occupied the city for five months, resulting in widespread destruction and loss of life. Reuters reported in October 2023 that despite the defeat of ISIS in Iraq and Syria, remnants of the group continue to operate in the southern Philippines, seeking to establish a caliphate.
The Marawi siege, which ended in October 2017, left over 1,000 people dead and displaced hundreds of thousands. The conflict highlighted the challenges of countering extremism in a region grappling with poverty, political grievances, and a history of armed conflict. Since then, the DI has continued to engage in sporadic attacks, primarily targeting security forces and civilian infrastructure. The group’s ideology centers on establishing a strict interpretation of Islamic law and aligning with the global ISIS movement.
Investigation and Response
The Maguindanao del Sur Police Provincial Office (MDSPPO) has established a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG-2ND PMFC), led by Police Director Col. Salman Sapal, to investigate the ambush. The task force is utilizing tracker teams, technical support, and legal resources to identify and apprehend those responsible. Authorities are currently withholding the names of the suspects to avoid compromising the investigation.
Bangsamoro Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof “Sammy” Macacua visited the wounded officers at a hospital in Cotabato City and condemned the attack as a threat to peace and order in the region. “To the perpetrators, you better surrender because we will not let this pass without you being held accountable,” Macacua stated, according to reports. Shariff Aguak Vice Mayor Hadji Oping Ampatuan echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the violence was “a direct assault on the law, order, and peace” the town had been striving to maintain.
A History of Violence in the Area
The ambush site on the road leading to the Maguindanao del Sur Police Headquarters has a history of violent incidents. Authorities have identified it as a hotspot for ambushes, with two previous attacks occurring on January 1, 2018, and June 15, 2023, resulting in casualties among both civilians and police. In both 2018 and 2023, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) were identified as the primary suspects, suggesting a complex and evolving security landscape in the region.
Notably, Captain Salanguit clarified that a separate ambush involving a police officer in Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur, on Sunday morning is not believed to be connected to the Dawlah Islamiyah. Preliminary investigations suggest that incident was likely linked to rido, a traditional practice of clan feuds common in the southern Philippines. This distinction highlights the multifaceted security challenges facing the BARMM, which include not only extremist groups but also long-standing local conflicts.
The incident underscores the ongoing demand for sustained security efforts and comprehensive peacebuilding initiatives in the Bangsamoro region. Authorities are expected to intensify patrols and intelligence gathering in the coming days to prevent further attacks and maintain stability. The SITG-2ND PMFC is expected to release further updates as the investigation progresses.
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