BIFF leader believed wounded in clash with troops in Maguindanao

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines — Local officials have yet to validate reports that one of the main plotter of bombings in central Mindanao was injured in a clash with soldiers last week.

Abu Turaife, whose real name is Esmael Abdulmalik, is rumored to have sustained shrapnel and gunshot wounds in an encounter with personnel of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division in a marshland near Shariff Saidona Mustapha town in Maguindanao.

Abu Turaife, a cleric, is leader of one of three factions in the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, which espouses hatred towards non-Muslims and who have been blamed for bombings in public places and worship sites in retaliation for combat losses.

Senior members of peace and order councils in different towns in Maguindanao told reporters Monday that their constituents have informed them about Abu Turaife’s having been wounded in a gunfight last week with soldiers.

“One information that reached us says he has shrapnel wounds in both thighs, in the left arm and in the neck,” said a municipal councilor, who requested anonymity.

Public school teachers in Maguindanao’s Shariff Saidona Mustapha, Datu Salibo, Datu Piang and Datu Saudi towns said they also received similar reports from parents of their pupils.

A cousin, Guipar Guiday, said the wounded Abu Turaife was brought by his followers to the North Cotabato side of the Liguasan Delta, where he has relatives.

Military still validating reports

Major Gen. Cirilito Sobejana of the 6th Infantry Division said Monday their intelligence units are now validating the reports.

“We requested local officials to help determine the veracity of the reports. Abu Turaife is a big fish so it is possible that his followers and sympathizers will hide his real condition to avoid demoralization among BIFF members,” Sobejana said.

Abu Turaife and his men are wanted for more than a dozen deadly bombings in central Mindanao in the past three years, including the IED attack at a roadside restaurant in Isulan town in Sultan Kudarat this month that killed a diner and hurt 17 others, among them minors.

He lost more than 20 followers, mostly trained in fabrication of improvised explosive devices by slain Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, in a spate of encounters with units of 6th ID from between January to early April this year.

Soldiers last week attacked BIFF lairs in towns along the Liguasan Delta after receiving reports that Abu Turaife and his followers were preparing for bombings during the Lenten holidays.

“It was in one of those encounters last week that he was injured according to reports relayed to us by vigilant people in Maguindanao province. That is what we are trying to validate now,” Sobejana said.