Abu Dar believed among 8 slain in Lanao Sur clash

Four suspected terrorists – one of them believed to be Dawla Islamiyah-Lanao leader Owaidah Benito Marohombsar, also known as Abu Dar – were killed in an encounter with government troops Thursday afternoon in Lanao del Sur.

The clash also resulted in the killing of four soldiers.

Colonel Romeo Brawner Jr., Army 103rd Brigade commander, said that based on reliable information they received, one of the four militants killed was possibly Dar – the only remaining “significant figure” in the Islamic State (IS)-inspired Maute Group.

“Possible, so iyung isang body count… na identify ng credible informants natin na siya [Dar] nga (It’s possible one of the bodies belong to Dar based on credible informants),” Brawner said.

Dar emerged as the new Dawla Islamiyah-Lanao group commander after the Marawi siege and neutralization of the Maute brothers and Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon.

“According to our three informants, one of the slain terrorists was Abu Dar. We already requested the higher headquarters for the DNA test to confirm his neutralization,” Brawner said.

The military, however, could not immediately validate Dar’s identity as the face of the body, believed to belong to the Dawla Islamiyah-Lanao (formerly known as the Maute Group) leader, was badly damaged by gunfire.

“Yung tama niya is sa mukha, eh. Medyo deformed yung mukha niya ngayon kaya medyo there was doubt na si Abu Dar (He was hit in the face. His face was deformed that’s why there’s doubt if he’s Abu Dar). But there are signs,” said Brawner.

“For instance, meron siyang scar sa mukha and according to… yung mga kasamahan niya dati na nandito na sa atin, yung scar na yun ay patunay na ito nga si Abu Dar (For instance, the body had a scar on the face. According to his former cohorts, the scar only proves that he is Abu Dar),” Brawner added.

He also noted that the unidentified body bore a scar on the back, another indication it belongs to Dar.

“Sabi rin nila may sugat sa likod dahil dun sa encounter natin last January, tinamaan daw siya ... tinignan namin meron nga (They said he sustained a wound in the back during an encounter with us last January. We looked at it, and his back also had a scar),” Brawner said.

The military reported that troops from the Army's 49th Infantry Battalion engaged 10 Daesh-inspired Maute fighters while scouring Barangay Dinaigan, Tubaran at 5:04 p.m. Thursday.

The gunfight lasted for an hour and 30 minutes, resulting in deaths of the four suspected terrorists and the four soldiers.

Seized from the scene of the encounter were two caliber 5.56 rifles with an M203 grenade launcher, a caliber .45 pistol, hand and rifle grenades, ammunition, a bandolier, and clothes.

“Sabi ng mga informants natin, si Abu Dar lang ang may hawak ng mga ito (Our informants said only Abu Dar possessed these firearms and other belongings),” Brawner pointed out.

Soldiers also seized firearms and food stuff from other slain suspected terrorists.