An alleged leader of the Bangsamoro Freedom Fighters-Bungos Faction (BIFF-BF) was killed when authorities served an arrest warrant in Barangay Calsada, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte on Sunday, July 5, 2026.

The Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) identified the fatality as “Kumander Bungos,” chairman of the BIFF-BF and the top one most wanted person in the region.

PRO-BAR said the operating team was about to serve multiple warrants of arrest against the suspect for various criminal offenses, including murder, multiple frustrated and attempted murder, qualified direct assault, attempted murder, and destructive arson, issued by different courts in Cotabato City.

However, the suspect allegedly opened fire at the operating teams instead of surrendering when the team introduced themselves as government law enforcement personnel.

Authorities returned fire, which led to the killing of the suspect.

Recovered from the crime scene were a caliber .45 pistol, fired cartridge cases, among others.

PRO-BAR said that the suspect previously served as vice-chairman for political affairs of BIFF under its founder, the late Ameril Umbra Kato.

“Following the division within the organization, he established the BIFF-Bungos Faction and assumed its leadership in 2015. His group has been operating in several areas of Maguindanao and has been linked to numerous violent attacks against government forces and civilians,” PRO-BAR said.

Authorities also linked the suspect and his group to a series of violent activities, including harassment attacks, improvised explosive device incidents, ambushes, road blockades, and other atrocities targeting government forces.

PRO-BAR added that members of the BIFF-BF were also implicated in the ambush of police personnel in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur on March 28, 2026.

“The successful conduct of this operation reflects the strong partnership and seamless coordination between the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines in enforcing the rule of law and protecting our communities from violent extremist threats. PRO BAR remains steadfast in working alongside our partner agencies to sustain peace, strengthen public safety, and ensure that those who threaten the security of our communities are brought to justice,” PRO-BAR Director, Brigadier General Christopher Abecia, said.