BIFF ‘leader’ slain in Maguindanao clash

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — An alleged leader of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) was killed in an encounter in Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao on Sunday.

Zukarno Guilil, alias Motorola and acting chief of the BIFF’s Karialan faction, died at the scene of the encounter that occurred in Barangay Ganta, according to Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario Jr., chief of the Western Mindanao Command.

Troopers from the Army’s 6th Infantry Battalion (IB) launched the offensive after receiving reports about the presence of armed men in the village.

Rosario described the death of Guilil as a positive development in the government’s campaign against  the terrorists in Central Mindanao.

“It also disrupted the bombing activities in the area,” Rosario said.

Guilil’s followers retreated after seeing their leader killed, according to Lt. Col. Charlie Banaag, commander of the 6th IB.

The soldiers recovered two fragmentation grenades from Guilil, Banaag said.

The military said the death of Guilil brought justice to all the victims of atrocities carried out by the BIFF.

Guilil, who was a bomb expert, was tagged in various attacks and bombings in Maguindanao.

The suspect had standing arrest warrants for murder, multiple attempted murders, arson and violation of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, said Col. Pedro Balisi, commander of the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade. – John Unson