Two killed, top JI operative wounded in Maguindanao raid

From GMA News (Jun 11): Two killed, top JI operative wounded in Maguindanao raid

Abdul Basit Usman, reputed to be a bomb expert from the local terror group Jemaah Islamiyah, was reported wounded in a joint military and police raid in an isolated barangay in the province but he managed to escape, military officials said Wednesday.

Two of Usman's relatives were killed in the incident, according to a military report.

Troops from the First Mechanized brigade and 45th Infantry Battalion, together with Maguindanao police personnel, raided Usman's hideout at around 5:45 a.m. Tuesday, the report said.

“They fired rocket-propelled grenades at the assaulting team, but we coordinated our efforts and struck it right... suddenly, they were scampering to different directions as we closed in on them,” said ground commander Lt.Col. Donald Hongitan of the 45th IB.

Brigadier General Edmundo Pangilinan, commanding general of the Philippine Army’s 6th Division, said security forces managed to locate the hideout and explosives manufacturing facility of the Al Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiya after persistent intelligence work.

He said four women were also arrested during raid and were turned over to the Maguindanao Police Women’s Desk for questioning.

Citing reports, he said one of the women could be the wife of either Usman or Marwan, another JI top operative from Malaysia who was with the group.

A $1million reward was offered to anyone who can provide information that could lead to Usman's capture.

BIFF and JI

Joint police and military operations are still being undertaken against another group, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), which is believed to have been involved in previous attacks on military detachments, Pangilinan said.

“During the raid he (Usman) was there. He was wounded as per report from our operating troops. This proves BIFF is not only coddling Jemaah Islamiyah but it seems they have strong ties,” he added.

But Abumisry Mama, spokesperson for the BIFF, denied the accusation.

“From what we learned, there was a strafing incident in Barangay Libutan and we have no troops there. Maybe they are looking for somebody else,” Mama said.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/365177/news/regions/two-killed-top-ji-operative-wounded-in-maguindanao-raid