DAVAO CITY, Philippines — following the report from two local officials, Senior Supt. Nickson Muksan, police chief of Maguindanao, confirmed the death of the suspected bomber Abdul Basit Usman earlier today.
(Photo from Military Source, as release by PDI)
Muksan said Barangay (village) Muti chairan Gayak Midtimbang and Guindulungan mayor Midpantao Midtimbang confirmed to him the death of Usman following the chance encounter with members of the MILF’s 118th base command.
According to Philippine Daily Inquirer report, Muksan said that Usman’s body was taken by his relatives in whom he added they are looking for to take photos of the body.
PDI also reported that Usman was killed in an operation led by Commander Barok of the 118th Base Command of the MILF at around 11:50 a.m. Sunday.
Refusing to give further comments on the report, a military source though provided a visual confirmation of Usman’s death through photo.
Usman was suspected as bomb maker who was linked to the Jemaah Islamiyah and the Abu Sayyaf.
Usman has $1 million bounty on his head which has been offered by the US State Department since 2009.
Earlier Usman was reported operating in Mindanao contrary to reports that he was killed in airstrikes in Pakistan, and was the one of the prime targets in the con troversial operation in Mamasapano, Maguindano.
H/T: Inquirer.net
