Mamasapano massacre suspect arrested

MANILA, Philippines — A former member of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters-Dawlah Islamiya (BIFF-DI) implicated in the massacre of 44 police Special Action Force (SAF) commandos in 2015 was arrested in Mamasapano, Maguindanao del Sur on Tuesday.

Muslimin Amilil, who was arrested in Barangay Tukanalipao, is the second most wanted fugitive in the Bangsamoro region, according to the Philippine National Police.

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said Amilil was a former bomb expert of the BIFF-DI and was among the terrorists who killed the SAF troopers.

Nartatez said Amilil was also among the gunmen who ambushed police officers in Shariff Aguak town in March this year.

The suspsect has standing arrest warrants for multiple murder, frustrated murder and attempted robbery.

Amilil was reportedly trained in bomb-making by Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, who was among those killed during the Mamasapano clash.

In a separate operation, police arested Amilil’s wife after several firearms, improvised explosive devices and ammunition were found in her house in the nearby town of Shariff Saydona Mustapha.

Amilil is detained at the Mamasapano police jail while his wife is held at the Shariff Saydona Mustapha police detention cell. – John Unson