BIFF denies burning terrorist Marwan’s hut in Mamasapano

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters on Tuesday denied any hand in the February 24 burning of the hut, where Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli Bin Hir or Marwan was killed by operating elite policemen last January.

Abu Misri Mama, the BIFF spokesperson, said they didn’t even have any idea that the burned house in Pidsandawan village in Mamasapano, Maguindanao belonged to Marwan.

He said he would not speculate on who was behind the burning of the house.

What he was sure of, Mama said, was that the BIFF was not behind it.

“We do not burn houses or destroy civilian properties,” he said.

Aside from Marwan’s hut, two houses nearby were also razed on February 24, according to Insp. Reggie Abellera, the Mamasapano police chief.

Prior to the arson, Chief Supt. Benjamin Magalong, head of the Philippine National Police’s Board of Inquiry, said they got information that BIFF men were seen in the area.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima earlier said on Monday that the burning of Marwan’s hut was meant to derail or obstruct the ongoing investigation.

Von Al Haq, the MILF vice chair for military affairs, said they were also investigating the burning.

As this developed, police authorities manning a checkpoint in Shariff Aguak town, arrested three suspected BIFF members on Monday, the town’s chief of police, said.

Chief Insp. Harris Lino, town police commander, said Tuesday that they also seized three hand grenades from the suspects, identified Omar Sawal, Rashid Ayungan and John Yunaw.

He said the suspects were on their way to Datu Unsay town when flagged down.

The three men, Lino said, initially reasoned out they were going home because there was no more military operation in their town.