Ex-BIFF member may have kept massacre guns

MANILA, Philippines–Less than a week after the massacre of 44 policemen in Maguindanao, a suspected former member of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) was arrested for possession of several high-powered firearms.

Sadad Salik Akob of Datu Odin Sinsuat town in Maguindanao was served an arrest warrant by the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG).

Akob is allegedly a former member of the BIFF, a breakaway group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Both groups have been tagged in the bloody clash in Mamasapano town in which 44 PNP Special Action Force (SAF) troopers were killed and 13 others wounded in a law enforcement operation against Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli Bin Hir, also known as “Marwan,” and local terrorist Basit

Usman.

Grenades, ammo seized

Zulkifli, who had a $6-million bounty by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation for his arrest over his involvement in the 2002 Bali bombing that left 110 foreign nationals dead, was reportedly killed, while Usman, a bomb-making expert with a $2-million bounty on his head, escaped.

Seized from Akob were a .50-cal. Barrett rifle, a carbine, an M79 grenade launcher, a .45-cal. pistol, a .38-cal. pistol, rifle grenades, ammunition and M14 magazines.

Under ballistic testing

A source said the PNP was investigating if the guns recovered from Akob were owned by the BIFF and if they were used in the Jan. 25 carnage.

“There are reports the BIFF may have entrusted its guns to him. An investigation is underway on his connection to the Mamasapano incident,” the source said.

All the guns seized from Akob were undergoing ballistics tests at the PNP crime laboratory.

Initial reports said the CIDG Central Mindanao served a search warrant on the suspect in Datu Odin Sinsuat, during which the firearms and explosives were seized.

The CIDG is preparing charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives against the suspect.

Security tightened

Meanwhile, soldiers stationed in the town of Datu Saudi Ampatuan said Moro rebels, estimated to number 200, were seen beginning Friday in the remote village of Kitango in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town, a known controlled area by the BIFF who fought alongside the MILF 105th Base Command on Jan. 25 in nearby Mamasapano town.

The military has tightened security in the town, putting up checkpoints and deploying tanks to prevent the rebels from launching attacks.

Captain Jo-anne Petinglay, 6th Infantry Division spokesperson, said the additional troops were meant to protect the civilians.

“As much as possible, our troops will be on defensive position,” she said.

Senior Insp. Soliman Bakal, police chief of Datu Saudi Ampatuan, said they were aware of the reported presence of the BIFF in the town.

He said they are closely working with the military to keep peace and order.