Suspected BIFF bomb-making instructor slain in arrest operation

COTABATO CITY—A suspected bomb-making instructor of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) was killed by government forces after he reportedly resisted arrest on Tuesday evening in Maguindanao.

Ebrahim Ali, described as a student of slain Malaysian bomb expert Zulkifli bin Hir alias “Marwan,” resisted arrest by firing at lawmen out to serve a warrant for his arrest in Barangay Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao. Marwan was killed in a police operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao in January 2015.

Maj. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, 6th Infantry Division commander, told reporters that Ali was being arrested based on the Arrest, Search and Seizure (ASSO) order issued by the Department of National Defense.

Joint elements of Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Army’s 603rd Infantry Brigade and Datu Odin Sinsuat police office were to serve the arrest warrant against Ali at his home around 7:30 p.m.

But he allegedly opened fire at the approaching government forces.

Military intelligence agents said Ali, also known as “Ebs,” has been providing improvised bomb-making training to BIFF gunmen under the Kagi Karialan faction. JPV