AFP: Basit Usman's relatives killed in clash

MANILA, Philippines - Three relatives of wanted terrorist Basit Usman died in recent clashes between the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and government forces in Maguindanao, the military said on Thursday.

Armed Forces public affairs chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said two of Usman’s nephews namely Rene Masabpi and Kumidi Simeon were killed in a series of encounters in Shariff Saydona Mustapha town last Wednesday. 

“Another unidentified relative of elusive terrorist leader Basit Usman was also killed in fierce clashes with Marine troopers in the swampland of Barangay Pamalian in Shariff Saydona Mustapha,” he added.

The military however, did not recover the bodies of the slain rebels. Cabunoc said the three fatalities were buried by retreating BIFF members in shallow graves in Sitio Ilang, Barangay Tina in Shariff Aguak town.

“Civilian informants pinpointed their burial sites to government troops,” Cabunoc said.

Usman is one of the targets of the Special Action Force troopers who figured in the January 25 clash in Mamasapano, which left 44 police commandos dead. He managed to escape and is now being tracked down by security forces.

The other target, Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan, was killed shortly before the bloody encounter.

Cabunoc said troops under the Marine Battalion Landing Team 8 spotted about 20 BIFF members who were either dead or wounded during the gun battles.

“They were carried away by comrades when they fled from the encounter site,” he said.

Cabunoc said Marines are now closing in on the group of Usman and five foreign terrorists being coddled by BIFF leader Mohammad Ali Tambako.

The military claimed that a total of 116 BIFF members have been killed and wounded since it launched an all-out offensive against the rebel group last month.