Govt’s ‘official’ version of Usman killing to match MILF claim

DAVAO CITY – After several contradicting versions floated about how alleged terrorist Abdul Basit Usman was killed, the government is set to announce the “official” version of the incident which will confirm that members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) killed the suspect.

Government sources said that after verifying information and reports, the government had concluded that Usman was killed after he entered an area controlled by the MILF’s 118th Base Command hoping to evade military and rebel forces.

The government is scheduled to announce the new and official version on Wednesday.

This version is expected to rebuild public trust in the MILF after confidence in the rebel group was gravely eroded after its members participated in the killing of 44 police commandos who tried to get Usman last January 25 in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

READ: Killing Usman ‘positive step’ in peace process—Marcos

Usman, with Malaysian terror suspect Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan, were found in MILF-controlled territory where they allegedly operated unmolested by the rebel group.

Marwan was killed in Mamasapano operation while Usman escape.

Echoing the account by MILF vice chair for political affairs Ghadzali Jaafar, the military is expected to say that the 118th Base Command planned to capture Usman and present him to the group’s Central Committee but he resisted, sparking a firefight that led to his death.

The MILF group that killed Usman was reportedly led by a Commander Barok.

BACKSTORY: ‘Usman’s death a result of efforts to arrest criminals against peace’

The latest rendition of Usman’s killing contradicts earlier claims posed by a military source who said he was killed by a military asset who was purportedly recruited from within the group of the alleged terrorist.

The asset allegedly managed to recruit two fellow aides to turn against Usman, who was then targeted in an operation.

Later, the military said that the asset died with Usman when the MILF tried to collar the terror suspect.

Another version put forward by Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Gregorio Pio Catapang said that Usman was killed in infighting among his security aides who allegedly wanted to claim the $5-million bounty on his head.

BACKSTORY: Infighting over $1-M bounty seen behind Usman killing – AFP

With Usman’s death, hopes are high that the peace process, especially discussions on the proposed Bangsamor Basic Law (BBL), would continue.

Jaafar said Usman’s death showed that the MILF was doing its part in maintaining peace and order in areas they controlled as agreed upon in agreements it signed with the government.

“Usman’s death is proof that the MILF is sincere in its efforts to strictly abide with the provisions of the ceasefire mechanism,” Jaafar earlier said. Karlos Manlupig/CB