MANILA, Philippines - The leader of rebel group Justice for Islamic Movement was brought to Manila on Monday for inquest proceedings.
JIM leader Imam Mohammad Tambako was arrested Sunday night at General Santos City three months after he established the group which is a breakaway from the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.
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Tambako, together with five of his followers, arrived at the Villamor Air Base aboard a Philippine Air Force plane.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gregorio Catapang noted that Tambako's arrest is a "big accomplishment" for the military and a "great loss" for the breakaway group.
"I think they are now history. They will have a hard time to recover if ever," Catapang said during a press conference.
According to a report, Tambako was a trusted lieutenant of BIFF founding chair Usatdz Umbra Kato.
Tambako is among the Moro rebels responsible for the death of 44 police commandos during a bloody encounter at Mamasapano, Maguindanao last January 25.
The AFP added that Tambako's group is believed to be the one coddling Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli Bin Hir alias "Marwan" and his Filipino cohort Basit Usman.
Tambako and his five aides - Datukan Sato Sabiwang, Alih Ludisman, Mishari Gayak, Abusama Badrudin Guiamil and Ibrahim Manap - will be brought to the office of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.