THE leader of a “lawless group” involved in the killing of a police colonel and three of his aides was killed while four soldiers were injured in a firefight in Maimbung town in Sulu last Saturday.
Slain was Alganer Dahim, alias Wangbu, who the Army’s 11th Infantry Division (ID) said is the second most wanted person in Sulu and a “notorious lawless element.”
In a statement, the 11th ID said Dahim was a “prime suspect” in the May 2009 killing of Col. Julasirim Kasim, the then Sulu police director, and three of his men in an encounter with Abu Sayyaf men in Maimbung town.
An official of the 11th ID, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Dahim was “associated” with the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Sulu. The province was declared ASG-free in 2023.
Troops from the Army’s 41st Infantry Battalion (IB), augmented by the PNP and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency operatives, raided the lair of Dahim and his men in Barangay Kapok Punggol in Maimbung.
The 11th ID said Dahim was involved in “large-scale illegal drug operations” in Maimbung and the other Sulu towns of Parang and Indanan.
Lt. Col. Genesis Gabrido, the 41st IB commander, said they assaulted the lair of Dahim’s group at around 2:15 p.m. and the fighting with the 10-man lawless group lasted for almost an hour.
“He is an armed, lawless group leader involved in drug trafficking. He has several murders here in Sulu and is linked to the killing of Col. Kasim, the former police director of Sulu,” said Gabrido of Dahim.
Gabrido said the site of the encounter is a drug den that was being maintained by Dahim and his men.
Citing accounts of the soldiers, Gabrido said at least three of Dahim’s men were injured in the fighting but managed to escape.
“Of course, they did not go to the hospital because they know they will be arrested there,” said Gabrido.
Gabrido said four soldiers were injured in the fighting, three of them sustaining shrapnel wounds caused by a grenade lobbed by the suspects. The other had a gunshot wound on his left shoulder.
Recovered at the encounter site were several magazines, ammunition, and other war materiel.
“This operation demonstrates our unwavering commitment to uphold the rule of law. Our troops remain constantly vigilant, and we will not allow unlawful disturbances affecting the lives of the people of Sulu,” said 11th ID commander Maj. Gen. Leonardo Peña.
“There is no place for criminals and lawless elements to hide in Sulu, and justice will always catch up with those who sow violence, fear, and disorder in our communities,” added Peña.
Peña said the military operations will remain unrelenting to ensure peace, security, and order in Sulu.
“We assure the people of Sulu that your Army will remain steadfast in protecting communities against those who disrupt peace. Together, we will build a safer and more secure environment for every community that we protect,” said Peña.
