ZAMBOANGA CITY ? Four alleged members of the Dawlah Islamiya (DI) terror group were killed and various war materials were recovered following a clash with government troops in Maguindanao del Norte, the military said Monday.

Lt. Col. John Dela Cruz, Marine Battalion Landing Team-2 (MBLT-2) commander, said the clash ensued around 5:45 am at Sitio Palao, Barangay Barira.

Dela Cruz said the troops were conducting combat operation when they clashed with a group of alleged DI terrorists led by Emarudin Kasan Kulaw, alias Alpha King, a sub-leader.

He said the firefight resulted to the death of four followers of Kulaw, including the leader’s son identified as alias Pudin.

He said two of the three slain DI members were identified as Mustapha Kasan Kulaw, alias Abu Saiden and brother of Emrarudin; and alias Abdullah. The fourth one remained unidentified.

He said the group’s leader, Emarudin, has a pending criminal case for arson and is in the order of battle of both the military and police.

He said troops recovered two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) fashioned out as landmines, a flag of the Islamic State for Iraq and Syria (ISIS), two M16 rifles, an M203 grenade launcher, two caliber .45 pistols, various types of ammunition, magazines, two bandoliers, and three cellular phones.

In a statement, Brig. Gen. Romulo Quemado, II, 1st Marine Brigade commander, said they will continue to advance counter-terrorism operations to ensure peace and security in the region.

“This victory is proof of the continued dedication of our soldiers in combating threats to the security of our nation. We will not stop as long as the threat of terrorism in our area continues,” Quemado said. DMS