Filipino terror group subleader, companion killed in shootout with govt troops

Both were with the terror outfit Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters or BIFF.

SULTAN KUDARAT: An alleged subleader of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) terror group and his companion were killed in a shootout with government troops in the southern Philippine province of Sultan Kudarat on Feb 18, 2023, police and military officials said.

Abdulkarim Lumbatan Hashim, also known as Commander Jacket, and his companion Mahmod Lumbatan also known as Mahmud Capunlo, suffered multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene of the gunfight in Tacurong City.

Area Police Command-Western Mindanao operations chief Col. Richard Verceles, in a statement, said police and military personnel were serving an arrest warrant on Abulkarim in New Isabela village when the suspects opened fire.

In a report, two other companions managed to flee from the firefight and pursuing authorities.

Verceles said said the suspects had standing warrants for murder and frustrated murder.

Hashim and his followers were tagged in the ambush that killed Ampatuan police chief Lt. Reynaldo Samson and his escort Cpl. Salipudin Endab in Kapinpilan village in August last year.

Hashim’s group was also accused of attacking the 6th Infantry Division’s outposts in Maguindanao del Sur.

The Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), in a statement Sunday, said Abdulkarim belonged to the BIFF-Karialan faction and worked under Yusa Ganoy aka Minimi, the BIFF's second division commander.

Abdulkarim was the most active field commander in the area, said Westmincom, adding operating troops recovered a motorcycle, a Taurus .45 pistol with live ammunition, a smartphone and an analogue mobile phone from the firefight scene.