BIFF leader killed in clash in Basilan

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines -  A commander of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter (BIFF) with links to the Abu Sayyaf group was killed while a follower was wounded in a clash with the pro-government faction of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Saturday in Al-Barka town, Basilan province.

Lt. Col. Jose Paolo Perez, chief of the 18th Infantry Battalion, said the forces of MNLF leader Umbong Mallatin alias Commander Cobra clashed with the combined Abu Sayyaf and BIFF groups led by Furuji Indama alias Abu Dujana, Nurhassan Jamiri alias Abu Bekkat, Ibrahim Malat Sulayman; Musanna Jamiri alias Mongo-Mongo and Basir Kasaran alias Commander Basir at Barangay Kuhon Lennuh about 6 a.m. Saturday.

Perez said the firefight ensued for an hour that left Commander Basir dead after one of Mallatin's snipers shot the former's head.

He said a follower of Abu Sayyaf leader Jamiri was also wounded in the encounter. The wounded militant was identified as a certain Misuari Jamiri.

According to Perez, despite being outnumbered in size  and in strength, the group of Mallatin repelled the combined forces of the Abu Sayyaf group and BIFF.

The military official said troops under his command also provided support to the  pro-government MNLF group with mortar shelling that sent the Abu Sayyaf and BIFF militants fleeing.

Perez said the group of Commander Cobra has been noted in reinforcing the 18th IB against the Abu Sayyaf group in a series of previous encounters  that neutralized Abu Sayyaf leader Long Malat Sulayman in 2012.

He said the MNLF faction has also supported the troops in  civil military outreach program in far-flung areas to help villagers in the area.