Son, Iqbal confirm BIFF leader Umra Kato is dead

Continuity

Mama said the BIFF did not have a choice but accept the fate of its founding leader.

“We cannot do anything about it. We will mourn but the BIFF will not die with him,” Mama said.

He said the structure of the BIFF, as a revolutionary organization, ensured that if a person or a leader died, someone would automatically replace him to ensure the continuity of the struggle.

The rebel spokesman explained that the council of leaders of the BIFF would immediately meet to talk about the direction and the adjustments in the organization.

“As of the moment, the BIFF’s vice chair for political affairs, Ustadz Abubakr Esmael, will temporarily fill the position until the plenary,” Mama said.

Since 2008, the BIFF has since been attacking military positions in Maguindanao and North Cotabato.

Mamasapano clashes

The BIFF, along with the MILF’s 105th Base Command, was involved in the Jan. 25 fighting in Mamasapano, Maguindanao province, that left 44 police commandos, 17 rebels and three civilians dead.

A month after the Mamasapano incident, the military launched an all-out offensive against the BIFF, which is suspected of coddling bomber Basit Usman, an associate of Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias “Marwan,” on the wanted list of the United States. Marwan was killed but Usman escaped in the Special Action Force operation against them last January.

The military said it killed more than 100 BIFF rebels in the monthlong offensive.

Talks with BIFF

While the death of Kato diminishes the threat posed by the BIFF, the government should still open talks with the group, according to Sen. Francis Escudero.

“To totally eliminate the threat of the BIFF, we should also engage them in talks and make sure that development reaches their areas,” Escudero said in a text message on Tuesday.

READ: Is BIFF the MILF’s ‘BFF’?

Earlier, Escudero said that for the government to settle the peace and order problem in Mindanao, it should engage all groups in the area, not just the MILF. The other groups pose a security threat as well, he said.

He had also said that the passage of the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law, a product of the peace deal between the government and the MILF, was not an assurance of lasting peace in Mindanao.

‘Good news for peace’

Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III said the death of Kato could be good news for peace in Mindanao.

Pimentel noted that there were some organizations that get its strength primarily from the personality of its leader.

If the BIFF is a group heavily dependent on Kato, it could self-destruct or dissipate with the demise of its leader, he said.

Brig. Gen. Joselito Kakilala, AFP spokesman, said Kato’s death would be a welcome development on the AFP’s fight against the BIFF.

“Kato is the source of inspiration by the members of the BIFF who joined him in waging violent attacks against peaceful communities,” he said.

With Kato’s death, Kakilala predicted the gradual demise of the BIFF.

“Also, his death would open the door for greater peace and unity in Central Mindanao because Kato was staunchly against the peace talks between the (Philippine government) and MILF,” he added.–With reports from Cynthia D. Balana, Julie M. Aurelio and Leila B. Salaverria in Manila and wires

Originally posted:  11:35 AM | Tuesday, April 14th, 2015

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