Maguindanao shootout fatalities tagged as terrorists

AMPATUAN, Maguindanao, Philippines — The five robbers killed in a shootout in this town on Saturday were members of local terror group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), authorities said yesterday.

The suspects – identified as Kaharudin Ambag, Faizer Alon, Lahmudin Hasim, Meharis Manunggal and Johari Matas – were followers of Imam Bongos, leader of one of three factions of the BIFF.

Bongos, whose real name is Ismael Abubakar, is facing more than 30 cases that are pending in court.

A manhunt was launched for a sixth suspect, identified as Pendatun Budtug, said to be a bomb expert.

The group robbed the Hannan Restaurant in Barangay Kauran and fled in a multicab that authorities intercepted in Sitio Magdalo.

The suspects reportedly shot the soldiers and police officers, triggering a firefight.