'Umbra Kato's successor more radical, supports ISIS'

From ABS-CBN (Apr 15): 'Umbra Kato's successor more radical, supports ISIS'

With the death of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) leader Ustadz Ameril Umbra Kato, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) foresees a power struggle within the renegade group.

BIFF spokesperson Abu Misry Mama confirmed Kato's death on Tuesday. He said BIFF's vice chairman for political affairs, Esmael Abubakar alias Commander Bungos, will temporarily fill up the position as head of the group.

The AFP, however, doubts this decision will sit well with Commander Kagui Karialan, vice commander for political affairs and a nephew of Kato.

According to Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, chief of the AFP public affairs office, Karialan has been claiming to be the leader of the BIFF since last year, or even before Kato's death.

Cabunoc said Karialan is seen as more radical and violent compared with Abubakar.

Karialan led several attacks against the AFP earlier this year. He also pledged allegiance to the terror organization Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) via the Internet last year.

Meanwhile, Cabunoc said that they are still trying to get pictures of the burial site of Kato, noting that military informants were not allowed to take pictures of the site.

He clarified that AFP chief of staff Gen. Gregorio Catapang was misquoted in reports saying that they already have pictures of the burial site of Kato.

Cabunoc said what Catapang meant was that in a day or two, the AFP might be able to get pictures of the site.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/04/15/15/umbra-katos-successor-more-radical-supports-isis