The cousin of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) founder Ustadz Ameril Umbra Kato is believed to have been among the rebels killed in a military operation in Maguindanao on Saturday.
In a press conference at Camp Aguinaldo on Monday, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) information office chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said that while they are still verifying the identities of four BIFF rebels killed in Barangay Pusao in Shariff Saydona town in Maguindanao, there were indications that one of them was Umbra Kato's cousin.
“Ito ay base doon sa cellphone na kanyang hawak, at dun sa mga messages na nakalagay doon, siya ay binibigyan ng instructions ng kanyang pinsan na si Ustadz Ameril Umbra Kato,” Cabunoc said.
Cabunoc said the man they think is Umbra Kato's cousin was wearing a police Special Action Force (SAF) uniform.
He said a cellphone recovered from the body is now with the Philippine National Police (PNP) Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Maguindanao for forensic examination.
“Wala akong detalye sa kung ano yung mga pinagusapan, may mga instructions siya [Umbra Kato] dun na ina-address niya yung kanyang pinsan,” Cabunoc said.
Meanwhile, Cabunoc also confirmed that one of the four BIFF casualties looked "like a foreigner".
“Sa itsura niya hindi siya normal na kaitsura ng mga Pilipino kaya lahat ng nakakita sa kanya ay nagduda na siya ay isang foreign national… Matangkad, fair-skinned at hindi istura ng normal na Pilipino o Asian,” Cabunoc said.
Cabunoc said the AFP is currently working with the CIDG in Maguindanao to establish the identities of the four bodies retrieved.
“Yung mga katawan nila ay nai-turnover na sa CIDG for proper disposition at nagkaroon kasi ng ugnayan with an imam for decent burial and Islamic rites,” Cabunoc said.
73 BIFF rebels killed in continuing operations
73 BIFF rebels killed in continuing operations
Cabunoc said 73 BIFF rebels have been killed and 33 others injured since the AFP launched operations against the rebel group after the Jan. 25 Mamasapano incident where 44 SAF troopers were killed.
On the other hand, Cabunoc said four soldiers were also killed on Saturday, one of them a company commander, identified as Lt. Grommel Auman, executive officer of the 6th Scout Ranger Company.
Cabunoc said 29 soldiers have also been wounded since the offensive began.
On Sunday, the military announced that it will extend its offensive against the BIFF rebels in Maguindanao for another three days.
“Kung kailangan mag-extend, base sa developments sa ground, ay ieextend ulit natin ito ng another three days, at nais kong liwanagin na ito ay alinsunod din sa ceasefire mechanisms,” Cabunoc said.
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