One member of the Dawlah Islamiyah-Hassan Group (DI-HG) was killed and two others were wounded on Thursday, November 12, 2026, after trading gunfire with joint military and police forces during a law enforcement operation in Barangay Kuloy, Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur, according to the Army's 90th Infantry Battalion.
At a glance
- What: exchange of fire during a Joint Law Enforcement Operation, per the 90th Infantry Battalion
- Result: one DI-HG member killed, two wounded; two M16 rifles and one caliber .45 pistol recovered
- Where: Sitio Taligba, Barangay Kuloy, Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur
- When: about 6:00 a.m., Thursday, November 12, 2026
- Units: 601st Infantry Brigade, 90th and 34th Infantry Battalions, Shariff Aguak police, PNP SAF
- Not stated: which of the two named targets was killed
Troops had moved to serve arrest warrants against two named DI-HG members when the suspects opened fire, triggering a firefight that lasted approximately 15 minutes. Soldiers and police recovered two M16 rifles and one caliber .45 pistol, with magazines and ammunition.
Warrants Targeted Two Named DI-HG Members
Lt. Col. Loqui O. Marco, commanding officer of the 90th Infantry Battalion, identified the targets of the operation as Tahir Salik — also known as Joross Salik or Zubair — and Samin Tagal, also known as Samin. Both face criminal cases including murder, frustrated murder, and robbery, which formed the basis of the arrest warrants being served, according to Lt. Col. Marco.
The Army's account did not specify which of the two named targets was killed or whether either of them was among the two who were wounded.
Operatives Moved In at 6:00 A.M. in Sitio Taligba
At approximately 6:00 a.m., personnel of the 601st Infantry Brigade — led by the 90th Infantry Battalion and supported by the 34th Infantry Battalion — together with the Shariff Aguak Municipal Police Station and the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP SAF), converged on Sitio Taligba in Barangay Kuloy to execute the warrants.
The operation turned into a firefight when the suspects opened fire as operatives approached. The exchange of gunfire lasted around 15 minutes, the military said.
601st Brigade Commander Cites Commitment to Peace Efforts
Brig. Gen. Gremel B. Brual, commander of the 601st Infantry Brigade, said the brigade remains committed to supporting the police in law enforcement operations. He added that the brigade stays open to individuals involved in armed violence who wish to surrender and change their lives.
6th Division Commander Commends Units, Thanks Local Communities
Maj. Gen. Edgar L. Catu, commander of the 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division and Joint Task Force Central, commended all units involved in the operation and expressed gratitude for the safety of the operatives. He also thanked local government units and residents for their continued support for peace and order in Central and South Central Mindanao.
Maj. Gen. Catu said the Army will continue to support the police in operations against criminal elements in the region, according to the Army's official account of the incident.
Photo: 6th Infantry Division