| ...which once upon a time had split from MNLF. But that was a generation ago, and hardly anyone involved still lives. |
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Col. Restituto Padilla said, "We have learned that Basit’s terrorist group is being protected by a former member of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters who has formed his own group)."
The group is allegedly led by Mohammad Ali Tambako, a former BIFF member. The BIFF is a breakaway group from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, who has signed a peace deal with the government. Padilla said, "The group of Tambako is holding the group of Usman. These individuals taught bomb making to BIFF and now the JIM."
Tambako was also a former member of the Moro National Liberation Front and the MILF before he became a member of the BIFF. He later became part of the JIM with about 70 followers, according to Padilla. The JIM, which was formed in November 2013, has ideological differences with the BIFF, he added.
Usman escaped a police operation in Mamasapano on January where top terrorist Zulkfli bin Hir alias Marwan was thought to have been slain.