BIFM search for clues on Monday's blasts

The brigand Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement on Tuesday said it is still gathering information on  Monday’s bombings in Maguindanao that killed a BIFM member and wounded eight others.

Abu Misry Mama, spokesman of the BIFM, said they are now gathering information on who could have perpetrated the bombings, which caused the suspension of their supposed “Islamic religious dialogue” at a village in Lower Salbu in Datu Saudi town.

“We will conduct an inquiry first. We cannot just point an accusing finger to any group without strong evidence,” Mama said.

Mama, speaking on behalf of their ailing chieftain, Saudi-trained cleric Ameril Umrah Kato, also allayed fears of possible retaliations by their forces for the bombings, which resulted in the death of a comrade, Kagui Haron.

Barangay officials in Maguindanao’s adjoining Datu Saudi and Datu Unsay towns have confirmed that at least eight BIFM members have been injured in the two bombing incidents.

The police director of Maguindanao, Senior Supt. Jaime Pido, said investigators complained of reluctance by villagers to reveal the names of the injured bandits for fear of reprisals.

“Most of these bandits are wanted, have standing warrants of arrests. That could be one reason why people in the area don’t cooperate,” Pido said.

Four bandits, one of them identified as Commander Karialan, were injured in the first explosion in Lower Salbu, according to Mama.

One of those injured was Commander Karialan, the BIFM’s chief-of-staff.

Karialan and his companions were on their way to a gathering somewhere in Lower Salbu in Datu Saudi town when an improvised explosive device planted along a trail went off.

Less than 20 minutes after the first explosion, another bomb went off in a cornfield at the border of Datu Saudi and Datu Unsay towns, killing Haron and wounding four BIFM bandits.

One of those injured in the second roadside bombing was Mohammad Tambako, BIFM chief political officer.
Tambako and his men were also on their way to attend the supposed Islamic dialogue among BIFM members, according to barangay officials.