Amin Baco is the new ‘emir’ of IS
Sabahan replaces Isnilon as head of terrorist group, say Philippine police
MANILA: Questions may still hang over the fate of top Malaysian terrorist Mohd Amin Baco but the Philippine police chief is already deeming him the new “emir” of the ultra-radical Islamic State (IS) in South-East Asia.
“Amin Baco is now the leader, not just of the remaining Maute but as emir of South-East Asia IS,” director-general Ronald de la Rosa told reporters yesterday, referring to the group that supplied the bulk of fighters who stormed Marawi on May 23.
Sabahan Amin Baco @ Abu Jihad, 31, replaced Isnilon Hapilon, 51, who was killed as the fivemonth-long conflict between Philippine troops and militants for Marawi city in Mindanao drew to a close.
Deputy director-general Rolando Mendez said Amin Baco is “one of the most experienced terrorists in the Philippines, plotting attacks and providing combat training to local mili- tants for years”.
However, the Philippine military strongly believed that Amin Baco was among those killed in the heavy fighting during efforts to retake Marawi City from the clutches of the Maute group.
This was disclosed by Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman Major Gen Restituto Padilla, according to a Bernama report that quoted the Philippine News Agency.
Intelligence sources said Amin Baco was trained by fellow Malaysian Zulkifli Hir, alias Marwan, who was one of the world’s most wanted terrorists until he was killed in a police raid two years ago.
Amin Baco was staying near Marwan’s remote hideout in Mamasapano town in Mindanao during the raid, but he eluded arrest, said Mendez.
Security officials said Amin Baco took part in the Marawi attack, but they could not ascertain whether he managed to flee or is leading dozens of stragglers still inside the city.
De la Rosa said most of the new information about Amin Baco was provided by Muhammad Ilham Syahputra, an Indonesian militant nabbed in Marawi last week.
Security expert Rommel Banlaoi said Amin Baco presents a bigger threat than Isnilon or Dr Mahmud Ahmad, a former Universiti Malaya lecturer who was Isnilon’s No. 2 but was also killed in Marawi.
Dr Mahmud was regarded more as an ideologue and organiser than a battlefield commander.
Amin Baco, on the other hand, has had a long experience in fighting a guerilla war.
He is also adept at making bombs, a knowledge he has passed on to many recruits. — The Straits Times/Asia News Network