Alleged BIFF bomber shot dead in North Cotabato

ALEOSAN, North Cotabato – Police authorities shot dead an alleged bomber for the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) while on his way to a supposed bombing mission in North Cotabato province on Good Friday.

Supt. Bernard Tayong of the North Cotabato police, identified the suspect as Bads Basilan.

Tayong said Basilan, a resident of Barangay Kudarangan in nearby Midsayap town, was driving a motorbike without a license plate from Midsayap to Aleosan town around 7 p.m. when intercepted.

Police conducting a checkpoint in Barangay Dualing flagged down Basilan for inspection, according to Senior Inspector Edwin Abantes, Aleosan police chief.

“He pulled his gun and shoot a police officer as he tried to speed off but missed,” Abantes said.

He said other police officers opened fire on Basilan and hit him in various parts of his body.

Abantes said police personnel rushed Basilan to the Aleosan District Hospital but he died on the way.

Tayong said Basilan had a standing warrant of arrest for arson and murder charges issued by Judge Lily Laquindanum of the Regional Trial Court Branch 24.

Abantes said a cal. 45 pistol, live and spent bullets, and a fragmentation grenade were recovered from Basilan.

Police, he said, were trying to determine what Basilan’s target was but was not clear about how they stumbled on Basilan’s alleged plan.