The Philippine Army confirmed Monday that two suspected local terrorists believed to be behind the killing of three goat traders from Batangas were killed in an armed encounter in Mamasapano, Maguindanao del Sur, over the weekend.

According to the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID), troops launched a “decisive military operation” on Sunday against members of the Islamic State-linked Daulah Islamiyah-Hassan Group.

The military said the operation disrupted a possible terrorist plot involving the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in populated areas.

6ID commander MGen. Donald Gumiran noted that the offensive “not only neutralized key suspects but also prevented a potential terror attack.”

“Once again, we have saved many innocent civilian lives. With the prompt response of our soldiers, the plan of local terrorists to sow violence in this peaceful part of Mindanao was thwarted,” he said.

Meanwhile, 601st Infantry Brigade commander BGen. Edgar Catu identified the two slain suspects as Tahir Salim Suweb, 41, of Barangay Baka, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte and Benladin Adi Kamid, 23, of Barangay Macasampen, Guindulungan, Maguindanao del Sur.

Two others identified as Junjun Kayogen Leosen, 37, and Rasul Mendoza Kariman, 31 — both from Maguindanao del Sur — were wounded during the encounter and were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Several other suspects managed to escape following the firefight and remain at large, according to the military.

Authorities recovered a cache of firearms and bomb-making materials at the site of the armed encounter.

Seized items included two M16A1 rifles, a caliber .45 pistol, components for improvised explosive devices (IEDs), an unexploded ordnance (UXO), several mobile phones, a Bushnell monocular scope, a damaged bipod, communication equipment and a female clutch bag containing multiple fake IDs.

Further, Catu also confirmed that the armed group involved in Sunday’s clash was directly linked to the killing of three goat traders from Batangas, whose bodies were found in Barangay Nabundas, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao del Sur, on 30 May.

“The killed terrorists, their arrested wounded companions, and those who escaped are directly related to the killing of the three businessmen from Batangas,” Catu said.

He added that the group is also behind a string of civilian robberies and killings, which they used to finance their operations.

Catu further noted the group’s involvement in a March ambush in Datu Hoffer, Maguindanao del Sur, that left four soldiers dead.