Dawlah Islamiya-Hassan faction’s ‘emir’ killed in Cotabato encounterThe 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. 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. 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. He said soldiers had no choice but to neutralize Kulaw after he refused to surrender peacefully.

Source: Philippine Star March 08, 2026 15:14 UTC