[Inquirer] Philippine security forces have killed 73 Moro militants, including one described as "foreign-looking" who may be a terror suspect sought by the United States. Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said they were verifying the nationality of the foreign-looking militant from the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters whose body was recovered by troops in Mamasapano town, Maguindanao province, on Sunday.Four militants were killed by troops in the latest fighting on Saturday, the 11th day of the all-out offensive against the BIFF. Four BIFF militants were also captured by rangers in the Maguindanao marshland. The military lost four soldiers, including a captain from the Scout Rangers, in the fighting in Pusao village.
Lt. Col. Willie Manalang described the foreign-looking fighter as 1.74 meters tall with a fair complexion. Manalang said, "He does not look Asian. He could be one of the foreign terrorists who were coddled by the BIFF."
He said one of the slain militants was thought to be a cousin of BIFF founder Ameril Umra Kato. Manalang said, "We found a cell phone among his belongings [and it] contained a text [message from] Kato where he was addressed as his cousin."
One source said Malaysian military authorities had confirmed that foreign terrorists —- four Indonesians and one Pakistani —- were helping the BIFF in Maguindanao and that they had the names of the terrorists. The source said the foreign-looking fighter killed could be the Pakistani.
Brig. Gen. Joselito Kakilala said the corpse bore "similarities" to a US "most wanted" Islamic militant, but refused to identify the suspect.
General Catapang had earlier said that four foreign terrorists were being coddled by Mohammad Ali Tambako, leader of the BIFF splinter group, Islamic Justice Movement (IJM).