Five members of the Dawlah Islamiyah-Hassan Group, including a suspected sub-leader, were killed in a joint military and police operation in Barangay Inug-ug, Pikit, Cotabato on Thursday afternoon, August 6.

The Philippine Army’s 48th Infantry Battalion commander, Lt. Col. Erwin J. Dumaghan, identified the fatalities as Marhum Esmael, also known as “Marhom,” the alleged sub-leader of the Dawlah Islamiyah-Hassan Group and the No. 1 most wanted person in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM); Amir Hassan; Halim Sansawi Usman; an alias “Ali”; and one unidentified individual, according to a report by RH Edniel Parrosa.

Authorities said Marhom was facing several criminal charges, including murder, frustrated murder, and robbery with violence.

According to Dumaghan, the suspects were killed following an armed encounter between government forces and members of the group in Barangay Inug-ug.

The military said the operation was launched against the group’s members following intelligence information, which led to the encounter that resulted in the deaths of the five alleged militants.

Authorities also recovered firearms from the area, including two M16A1 5.56mm rifles and three short magazines. Clearing operations and further investigation are ongoing.

Watch the full report below.