AFP says death of Umbra Kato to further weaken BIFF

The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Tuesday said the reported death of Ustadz Ameril Umbra Kato, founder of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, may weaken further the outlawed group.

 

At a press briefing, AFP public affairs chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc described Kato as a charismatic leader who had influenced many young fighters to join his group. 

 

"More or less 150 na lang sila [sa BIFF], kung wala nang nag-i-inspire, kung wala nang charismatic sa kanilang grupo, dahan-dahang wala nang sasali [sa BIFF]," he said. "Lalo nang hihina ang kanilang hanay, dahan-dahan nang mawawala ang influence ng BIFF as a group."

 

Cabunoc earlier said they were 99.9 percent sure that Kato is dead.
 

"99.9 percent dahil ang MILF mismo ang nagsabi, maging ang pamangkin ni Umbra Kato na MILF rin, kinumpirma," he said.

 

He added that based on initial information, Kato died around 2 a.m. Tuesday in Barangay Kateman in Guindulungan town in Maguindanao due to cardiac arrest.

 

However, he could not fully confirm the information as they are still waiting for pictures to prove the death of Kato.

 

"This time, even a ranking commander of the MILF has reported that he (Kato) has indeed died," he said. "Pero wala pang picture, gusto natin na kapag may picture, wala nang pagdedebate."



^{The late Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter (BIFF) founder Ustadz Ameril Umbra Kato is seen in this file photo taken in 2011 somewhere in Maguindanao. AFP public affairs chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc on Tuesday, April 14, said the military is '99.9 percent sure' Ustadz Ameril Umbra Kato is dead, since they have received similar information from a commander of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Kato is reported to have succumb from a stroke. Mark Navales/File}

More 'radical' Kagi Karialan

 

Meanwhile, Cabunoc said Kagi Karialan will be replacing Kato as head of the BIFF.

 

Cabunoc described Karialan as "more aggressive and radical" than Kato, but the threat, according to him, "remains the same."

 

He added that Karialan, about 50 years old, has been one of those leading the BIFF since Kato had a stroke in November 2011.

 

He was also among those who fought during the military's all-out offensive against the BIFF in Maguindanao.

 

The military launched offensive operations against Basit Usman and the members of the BIFF involved in the Jan. 25 encounter with the Philippine National Police Special Action Force in Barangay Tukanalipao in Mamasapano town. The encounter cost the lives of 44 SAF troopers.

 

The target of the operation was to arrest suspected Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan and Usman. Authorities said Marwan was killed during the operation but Usman managed to escape.

 

Before its end last March 30, the military offensives were conducted in four towns in Maguindanao: Salibo, Pagatin, Mamasapano and Shariff Aguak, or the “SPMS box,” where BIFF members are believed to have retreated with Usman. — RSJ, GMA News