An alleged member of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF)-Karialan wanted for murder was arrested at a hospital in Cotabato City.

According to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), the suspect identified as “Ali Akbar” was arrested by virtue of warrants for murder and frustrated murder issued by a court in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur on September 16, 2024.

The suspect was tagged as number nine most wanted person in the Bangsamoro Region and number three in Maguindanao del Sur.

CIDG said the suspect was among the 22 armed individuals who allegedly ambushed a barangay councilman and a police officer on board a pickup truck in Mamasapano, Maguindanao del Sur on March 30, 2024. The barangay councilman was killed while the police officer survived the attack.

Prior to his arrest, the suspect and his group under Commander Malibuteng of the 128th Base Command of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) were allegedly ambushed by the members of the 118th MILF Base Command while they were traveling along Barangay Linantangan, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao del Sur on August 10, 2025.

According to a report by GMA Regional TV One Mindanao, three MILF members were killed while three others, including the suspect, were injured during the ambush.

Those who were injured were brought to the hospital where the suspect was arrested.

“I commend the CIDG Maguindanao Provincial Field Unit for your swift and responsive police action that resulted in the accounting and arrest of this fugitive,” CIDG Director, Brigadier General Christopher Abrahano, said.