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Southeast Asia
Spokesman: Kato still in command of MILF splinter group
2012-08-22
Moro terrorist rebel leader Ameril Umbra Kato might be ill but he is still in control of the group he had founded in 2010, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement, one of his aides said on Wednesday. BIFM spokesperson, Abu Misri Mama, said Kato remains at the helm of the splinter movement even though he suffered a stroke late last year.

Mama said, "Despite KatoÂ’s health condition, he is still very much in command."

Kato, a former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) commander in Maguindanao, was reportedly too weak to lead the BIFM and its armed branch, the Bangsamoro Freedom Fighters.

The MILF claimed he had sought treatment in a hospital in Cebu and the military had said a Kato deputy was now calling the shots in the BIFM.

The militaryÂ’s assessment had come in the wake of attacks led by BIFF forces in at least five Maguindanao towns starting August 5, in which seven soldiers and five civilians were killed. The military claims scores of terrorists rebels were killed but terrorist rebel casualties could not be independently ascertained.

Mama accused the MILF of "circulating unverified statements" about KatoÂ’s alleged treatment in Cebu, courtesy of an unnamed Maguindanao politician. Mama said, "If he was in Cebu for medical treatment, he could have already been arrested. This is nothing but a hoax," citing various warrants and a bounty of P10 million for his arrest.

But Colonel Prudencio Asto maintained that authorities had confirmed that "Kato is out" and that his deputy, Mohammad Ali Tambaco, "has taken over."

Unlike the MILF the military believes that Kato remains in Maguindanao and is being taken care of by his followers. Asto said the hunt was continuing for the ailing BIFM leader and his followers for the atrocities they have committed in Maguindanao.
Posted by:ryuge

#2  Awwwww, #1, I was going to say "D **** it, does the Green Hornet know"?
Posted by: JosephMendiola   2012-08-22 19:51  

#1  Why, did the Green Hornet retire?
Posted by: tu3031   2012-08-22 17:24  

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