Soldiers of the Philippine Army have been stationed in Sulu (picture not dated) to provide security against ongoing threats from militants, organized crime, and piracy. Image Source: AFP

The suspect, identified as Alganer Dahim and also known by the alias “Wangbu,” was the second most wanted individual in Sulu. He had outstanding warrants linked to 33 serious criminal cases.

Police and Army units were serving an arrest warrant in Barangay Kapok Punggol when Dahim allegedly threw a grenade and opened fire. The blast injured four soldiers before security forces retaliated and fatally shot him.

Dahim had long been associated with the Abu Sayyaf Group, which pledged allegiance to the Islamic State. The terror group was headquartered in Jolo, Sulu, and became known for financing its operations through kidnapping and extortion, including of foreign aid workers.

In response, up to 30,000 troops were deployed to Sulu at the height of the government's counter-insurgency campaign.

Sources say that Dahim was specifically among the gunmen involved in a clash with police in Maimbung in May 2009, during which the then Sulu police director, Col. Julasirim Kasim, was killed.

Maimbung is a municipality to the south of Jolo with less infrastructure and relative isolation from other regions in Sulu. The area has faced challenges in militant activity as well as piracy. Image Source: Google Maps.

This latest encounter comes amid continuing efforts by security forces to pursue remaining elements of the group in the region. While Abu Sayyaf's capabilities have been reduced in recent years, clashes such as the one in Maimbung underscore the challenges facing Sulu’s more isolated south.

Recent efforts to secure and develop the region have certainly gone beyond military action, with infrastructure projects including the 2023 opening of Maimbung District Hospital.

For now, the death of a long-wanted suspect marks another development not only in a long-standing security campaign, but in the efforts of the Philippines to devote proper resources to a region historically affected by terrorism, piracy, and poverty.

REFERENCES

Garcia, T. J. (2025, August 17). Sulu No. 2 most wanted slain in clash. Philippine News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/

France 24. Jolo stronghold of Islamist group Abu Sayyaf. (2009, May 8). France 24. https://www.france24.com/en/

Pareño, R., & Unson, J. (2025, August 18). Abu Sayyaf leader killed in Sulu shootout. The Philippine Star. https://www.philstar.com/