‘JI-trained Usman no ties with BJM’

From the Manila Standard Today (Oct 9): ‘JI-trained Usman no ties with BJM’

A high-ranking intelligence officer in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) took issue with some of the claims of a former intelligence officer, saying that Jemaah Islamiyah-trained terrorist Bassit Usman is not one of the personalities involved in the establishment of a new rebel group called Bangsamoro Justice Movement which had pledged support to the Islamic State jihadists.

The AFP official also stressed that  Usman will never leave the fold  of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) led by Ameril Umbra Kato.

“That’s some kind of a fishing expedition to gather information for the group’s interest,” a general said who spoke in condition of anonymity.

He was referring to Rodolfo “Boogie” Mendoza, former chief of the police’s Intelligence Group (IG) who now leads a group called Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research.

Although he confirmed of the existence of the BJM,, the AFP intelligence official said that the group was organized by Ali Tambako, and not Usman.

“No, the BJM was organized by Ali Tambako, not Usman. And Usman, was not among the group. Tambako’s group, about more or less 100 men, are indeed BIFF renegades,” the general said.

This was in contrast with Mendoza’s claim on Wednesday that the BJM was formed by Tambako, Usman and Abdul Jan Pagao.

The AFP source said Umbra Kato expelled Tambako and his loyalists from the BIFF not because of the twin beheadings of farmers in September 2013 in Midsayap, North Cotabato but “for some other reason”.

“Kagi Karialan, chief of staff of Kato, suspected Ali Tambako to be behind the IED (improvised explosive device) bombing that wounded him sometime in 2013 in Mamasapano, Maguindanao,” he said.

He, however, confirmed that Pagao, former political affairs officer of Umbra Kato, was with Tambako in forming the new group.

The military said Pagao was among the gunmen involved in the infamous “Maguindanao massacre” in November 23, 2009 led by Datu Andal Ampatuan Jr. who massacred 58 people, 32 of them were journalists.

The AFP intellifence officer added that Usman cannot join Ali Tambako’s group because the bomb-making expert “will have no safe haven in Central Mindanao if he associates with this group (BJM) who had a rampaging rido with Kariala’s clan in particular and the BIFF in general,” he said.

He claimed that Usman’s only safe haven is the BIFF where he can move around safely.

“Bassit Usman cannot abandon Umbra Kato since the latter has strong influence in Central Mindanao. Central Mindanao, in areas where the BIFF operates, is the only safe haven for Usman. So the claim of Mendoza that Usman is joining Tambako’s group is far-fetch, it’s like self-mutilation in front of the BIFF,” the general said.

“We believe that Usman doesn’t have to use the group of Tambako to gain more prominence. Kilala na siya as a notorious terrorist, as a businessman being hired by the BIFF and the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and now Tamabako’s group to teach them how to make bombs. That’s all he can do for a living,” he added.

Meanwhile, the general said they have fresh intelligence reports that the “health condition of Umbra Kato is improving.”

“Ang sabi e medyo nakakalakad na raw,” he said.

Umbra Kato suffered successive debilitating strokes a year after he and his hundreds of followers were expelled from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for refusing to support the peace process with the government.

After forming the armed wing BIFF Umbra Kato also formed the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFM), the political arm of his organization.

Umbra Kato was a former commander of the MILF’s 105th Base Command.

 http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/10/09/-ji-trained-usman-no-ties-with-bjm-/