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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Mindanao devider BIFF-DI bomb maker arrested in Maguindanao del Sur

BIFF-DI bomb maker arrested in Maguindanao del Sur

Published Jul 22, 2026 01:39 pm
GUNS seized from Amilil's wife. (Maguindanao del Sur PPO FB)
GUNS seized from Amilil's wife. (Maguindanao del Sur PPO FB)
COTABATO CITY – A wanted person linked to the massacre of 44 elite police force in 2015 and the ambush of police officers that killed five in Maguindanao del Sur earlier this year was arrested on Tuesday by joint police and military forces, police said.
Police Col. Michael John Mangahis, Maguindanao del Sur police provincial director, on Wednesday identified the suspect as Muslimin Amilil, 45, an alleged bomb maker of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and Dawlah Islamiyah (DI) local terror groups.
“He did not resist arrest when lawmen presented him with various arrest warrants for murder and frustrated murder charges,” Mangahis said in a statement.
Amilil, a bomb-making student of the slain Malaysian terrorist Zulkipli Bin Hir, alias Marwan, and the slain DI leader Basit Usman, was arrested in his hideout in Barangay Tukanalipao, Mamasapano, Maguindanao del Sur, the same area where 44 Special Action Force personnel were killed in a 2015 operation to arrest Marwan.
Mangahis said Amilil served as the senior adviser to the Panenekelan Criminal Gang, an armed group operating in Maguindanao del Sur and involved in the ambush of police officers in Shariff Aguak last March, which killed five policemen and wounded three others.
Mangahis said Amilil identified himself as affiliated with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) 128th Base Command. Amilil has warrants issued by local courts for numerous criminal cases, including murder, frustrated murder, robbery, attempted murder, and double murder.
“Criminals must be brought to justice at all costs. Peace and order are non‑negotiable, and the rule of law is absolute – protecting the oppressed and holding accountable those who sow violence,” Mangahis said.
In a separate operation, police and members of the 34th Infantry Battalion arrested Amilil’s wife, Aiza Awab Amilil, in the nearby town of Shariff Saydona Mustapha, also in Maguindanao del Sur.
Seized from her house were five assault rifles, improvised bombs, and ammunition.
Amilil is detained at the Mamasapano police detention facility, while his wife is held at the Shariff Saydona Mustapha police station lockup cell. (PNA)

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Dawlah Islamiyah BIFF Terrorist
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