ISIS-linked leader killed in North Cotabato clash

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March 9, 2026 | 12:00am

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — A key leader of the terror group Dawlah Islamiyah (DI), which has links with the Islamic State or ISIS, was killed in a military assault yesterday in Banisilan town in North Cotabato, the Armed Forces said.

Col. Roden Orbon, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) spokesman, said Emarudin Kulaw, also known as Alpha King, was killed in a brief clash with soldiers at 1:45 a.m. yesterday in Barangay Tinimbacan.

He said the military was out to arrest Kulaw, who had long been wanted for violations of the Anti-Terrorism Act.

Kulaw was also wanted for more than 20 offenses, including multiple murder, destructive arson and extortion, Orbon added.

Orbon said Kulaw, a former leader of the DI Hassan group, is an expert in the fabrication of improvised explosive devices using either ammonium nitrate or potassium chlorate as blasting charges.

The Joint Task Force Central and 6th Infantry Division under Maj. Gen. Jose Vladimir Cagara, utilizing the troops from the 601st Infantry Brigade and 602nd Brigade, carried out the military strike that killed Kulaw.

Orbon said the operation was implemented after the military received reports of Kulaw’s presence in Tinimbacan.

Lt. Gen. Donald Gumiran, Westmincom chief, said Kulaw was an elusive terror leader linked to several violent incidents.

Gumiran reiterated his call for the remnants of Kulaw’s group to surrender, saying military assaults would be relentless to ensure security in Central Mindanao.