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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Mindanao devider BIFF faction leader killed in Maguindanao del Norte

BIFF faction leader killed in Maguindanao del Norte

Published Jul 5, 2026 03:12 pm
COTABATO CITY – Joint military-police forces killed the leader of one of the notorious terrorist groups operating in Maguindanao del Sur during a law enforcement operation in Maguindanao del Norte before dawn Sunday.
Lt. Col. Ronald Suscano, spokesperson of the 6th Infantry Division, identified the slain terrorist leader as Esmael Abubakar, alias “Commander Bungos,” who heads the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF)-Bungos faction.
“Abubakar died following a shootout with government troops at past 2 a.m. in Barangay Calzada, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte,” Suscano said in a statement.
He said Abubakar was alone in his hideout when government forces arrived with an arrest warrant issued by a local court.
Suscano added the Maguindanao del Norte police, backed by soldiers from the 601st Infantry Brigade, were together in the operation after it was confirmed that Abubakar was at the safehouse.
Abubakar used to have sizable, heavily armed followers operating in the towns of Shariff Aguak, Datu Saudi Ampatuan (formerly Pagatin), Mamasapano, and Shariff Saydona Mustapha, collectively known in military term as the “SPMS box.”
He was blamed for a series of atrocities against military forces in Maguindanao del Sur and was linked to past bombings of public passenger buses whose operators ignored extortion demands from his group.
Major Gen. Jose Vladimir Cagara, 6th ID commander, lauded operating units for neutralizing Abubakar. He acknowledged civilians for providing information on Abubakar's whereabouts.
"The Joint Task Force Central and the entire 6th ID salute the bravery and dedication of our soldiers and our police personnel. It was a strategic victory as the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao prepares for the regional polls in September this year,” Cagara said in a separate statement. (PNA)

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BIFF Maguindanao del Norte Sultan Kudarat
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