CIDG arrests ‘bomb expert’ of BIFF in Sarangani province

MANILA, Philippines—Authorities on Tuesday said they have arrested a valuable member of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters during a raid in Sarangani province.

Director Samuel Pagdilao Jr., chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group of the Philippine National Police, said that 38-year-old bomb expert Baserin Tongan, who also went by the name “Palos”, was arrested by CIDG officers at around 7 p.m. Saturday in Sitio (sub-village) Busok, Baliton village in the town of Glan.

He said the police armed with multiple arrest warrants for several counts of murder and frustrated murder swooped down on safe houses of Mohammad Jaafar Maguid’s group in Purok Maguid in Daliao village but were only able to arrest Tongan.

Police failed to capture two other subjects of the arrest warrants Limbo Jusin Pala and Mohammad Jaafar Maguid, who managed to escape through the backdoor of a safe house, said the CIDG director.

Several high-powered firearms, ammunition and improvised explosive devices were seized from Tongan, who was an expert in making bombs, according to the CIDG. An M14 rifle, M16 armalite, a home-made M79 grenade launcher and several ammunition were found in Maguid’s hideout while police recovered a 30-caliber Garand, an Ultimax rifle and several ammunition and components of IEDs from that of Pala.

Authorities also believed Tongan was an operation officer of the 3rd Battalion, Headquarters Brigade of the Inner Defense of the BIFF, under Ustadz Haun Salindatu.