Military to file charges vs new BIFF leader

Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

The military will file criminal charges against the new leader of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) after the terrorist group launched a series of attacks against government troops in Maguindanao.

Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. has directed Maj. Gen. Edmundo Pangilinan of the Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division to lodge frustrated murder cases against Esmael Abu Bakar, a.k.a. Kumandor Bungos, who now leads the breakaway BIFF.

The military said Abu Bakar allegedly led the attacks against soldiers in Maguindanao last Wednesday and Thursday.

On Thursday, the BIFF fired three rounds of M203 40-mm grenades at soldiers in Barangay Pagatin, Datu Salibo in Maguindanao, wounding five of them.

“It’s better to have more cases against them so that you have reasonable grounds to arrest him together so we won’t be charged with human rights violations,” said Brig. Gen. Joselito Kakilala, spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Abu Bakar assumed the leadership of the BIFF after its former leader, Ameril Umbra Kato, died earlier this week due to a heart attack.

In a statement, Catapang, the AFP chief, stressed that Abu Bakar and his men must be held responsible for the injuries sustained by government troops.

“The BIFF has also caused the anxiety felt by ordinary civilians who were affected by the violent attacks,” the AFP chief said.