BIFF bomb maker falls
Alias Tong Basilan is a known IED-making expert of the BIFF-Karialan Faction, a confidante of the late Ameril Umbra Kato and triggerman of Kumander Paradise
ZAMBOANGA CITY — The military on Monday reported the arrest of an individual believed to be the improvised explosive device maker of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters-Karialan Faction at the vicinity of the Cotabato Regional Medical Center in Barangay Rosary Heights 10, Cotabato City.
90th Infantry Battalion commanding officer Lt. Col. Rowel Gavilanes disclosed that state forces arrested the suspect near the Cotabato Regional Medical Center in Cotabato City on Friday.
Gavilanes identified the suspect as Kuntong Basilan, alias Tong Basilan, and Michael Basilan, who is facing two counts of double murder, multiple frustrated murders and an arson filed against him in the local court.
Alias Tong Basilan is a known IED-making expert of the BIFF-Karialan Faction, a confidante of the late Ameril Umbra Kato and triggerman of Kumander Paradise, and Gavilanes added that he is also involved in some violence against government security forces and civilians of Cotabato City, Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte.
“Based on our information, the suspect was involved in a gun-for-hire, harassment and landmine attack on a military installation in Sitio Risingan, Dungguan, Aleosan, Cotabato; burning of civilian properties in Sitio Poypoyon, Dungguan and Bagolibas, Aleosan and Baliki, Midsayap, Cotabato in 2008, and a series of shooting incidents targeting the PNP and AFP in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte in 2019 to 2020,” Gavilanes said.
He assured the people of Central and South Central Mindanao that the AFP and PNP would continue to work to eliminate threats to peace and maintain order in their locality.
The operation against the suspects was jointly conducted by soldiers of the 90th IB, 34th IB, PNP-Special Action Force and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Maguindanao Provincial Field Unit.
Basilan is currently in the custody of the CIDG-Maguindanao for appropriate disposition.