Security forces raid Ali Tambako house

MANILA, Philippines - Security forces have raided the house occupied by arrested Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) co-founder Mohammad Ali Tambako in General Santos City and have seized materials used to create explosives.

The Army’s Explosives, Ordnance and Disposal Team and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group raided Monday morning the house, which is located in Doña Soledad Subdivision in Barangay Labangan.

Security forces found bomb-making materials like detonating cords, assorted wires, blasting caps, Christmas light bulbs, sim cards and improvised circuit boxes during the operation. 

“It is believed that Tambako and his men were planning to carry out bombings in the said area,” Armed Forces public affairs chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said in a press briefing on Tuesday.

“There is a possibility that they are planning to divert attention away from the ongoing law enforcement operations at the SPMS Box,” he added, referring to the Salvo, Pagatin, Mamasapano, and Shariff Aguak towns in Maguindanao.

Cabunoc said the planned bombings were also meant to gain attention and to secure funds from international terrorist groups. 

The search operation was conducted a few hours after Tambako and four of his followers were arrested while on their way to the seaport of General Santos City in Barangay Calumpang. Also captured were Datukan Sato Sabiwang, Ali Valley Ludisman, Mesharie Edio Gayak and Abusahma Badrudin Guaimil alias Hansela Omar.

Tambako is one of the founders of the BIFF, which aims to establish a separate Islamic state in Mindanao. He was also the group’s military affairs vice chairman.The rebel leader is believed to be among those who brutally killed the 44 Special Action Force (SAF) members during the now infamous Mamasapano clash last January 25.

Tambako has also been accused of providing safe haven to wanted Filipino bomb expert Basit Usman and five foreign terrorists in Maguindanao. He is also believed to have ties with notorious Islamic fundamentalists around the world.

Tambako is now facing a string of criminal cases filed by a local court in General Santos and is now detained in Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Manhunt operations 

Usman, the Filipino bomb expert targeted by elite police forces during the January 25 Mamasapano operation, is still hiding in Maguindanao, officials said.

“He was monitored to be just roaming around Maguindanao, within the SPMS Box,” Cabunoc said.

Armed Forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Joselito Kakilala said Usman has linked up with BIFF leaders Karialian and Bungos following the death of his nephews in Shariff Saydona Mustapha town last week.

“Our troops are confident (that they can capture Usman). They have leads but they are operating in a hard area because it is swampy and muddy,” Kakilala said.

Three of Usman’s relatives were killed in sporadic clashes with military troops in Maguindanao last March 11.

Officials identified two of the fatalities as Rene Masabpi and Kumidi Simeon, nephews of the wanted terrorist. The third fatality remains unidentified.

Clashes continue 

In a related development, a BIFF member was killed in a clash with the Marines in Barangay Pusao, Shariff Saidona Mustapha town last Monday.

Cabunoc said the encounter, which happened at 6:15 p.m., resulted in the death of 18-year old rebel Karie Uga Dia.

A total of 117 BIFF members and six soldiers have died since the military launched offensives against the rebel group last month.

Fifty-nine BIFF guerillas and 29 soldiers have been injured in the clashes, which also resulted in the displacement of more than 100,000 civilians.