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John Unson - Philstar.com
March 8, 2026 | 5:05pm
The known “emir” of the Dawlah Islamiya-Hassan group, long wanted Emarudin Kulaw, was killed instantly by multiple bullet wounds in a clash with soldiers in Banisilan, Cotabato.
Photo courtesy of Philstar.com / John Unson
KORONADAL CITY — Soldiers killed the top leader of a Dawlah Islamiya faction during an encounter in Barangay Tinimbacan, Banisilan, Cotabato, on Sunday morning, March 8.
Local executives and traditional Moro leaders supporting the anti-terror campaign in Central Mindanao, led by the Army’s 6th Infantry Division and the Western Mindanao Command, told reporters at noon that the incident left Emarudin Kulaw, the known “emir” or ruler of the Dawlah Islamiya-Hassan group, dead.
The commander of the 6th Infantry Division, Major Gen. Jose Vladimir Cagara, and his immediate superior, Army Lt. Gen. Donald Gumiran of the Western Mindanao Command, said separately that combined personnel from the 601st and 602nd Infantry Brigades were sent to arrest Kulaw at his hideout in Barangay Tinimbacan. Kulaw and his companions resisted, triggering a brief encounter that resulted in his immediate death.
Villagers said Kulaw’s four companions quickly fled after soldiers, approaching from two directions, shot him with their assault rifles.
Local executives in various towns across Cotabato in Region 12, as well as in the neighboring Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte provinces of the Bangsamoro region, said Kulaw was wanted for more than 20 high-profile criminal cases, including multiple murder, destructive arson, and extortion pending in different courts.
Kulaw was also a known expert in fabricating improvised explosive devices, using either ammonium nitrate or potassium chlorate as blasting charges, rigged with mechanisms that could be detonated remotely via mobile phones.
Major Gen. Jose Vladimir Cagara expressed gratitude to vigilant local officials and private individuals who reported Kulaw’s presence in a secluded area of Barangay Tinimbacan.
He said soldiers had no choice but to neutralize Kulaw after he refused to surrender peacefully.
