[Reuters] The leader of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters died on Tuesday. Ameril Umbra Kato suffered a heart attack in his hideout in Maguindanao province.General Gregorio Catapang said, "We have pictures of his burial. He died of natural causes. Before this, he had a diabetic stroke that immobilized him."
BIFF spokesman Abu Misri Mama also confirmed the Kato's death after speaking with the militant leader's son, Omar, who is expected to be the armed group's new leader.
Kato, a former field commander of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, opposed peace talks with the government after an ancestral land deal in 2008 was nullified by the Supreme Court.
The peace process has stalled after the bloody clash that killed 44 police commandos, 17 militants and four civilians on January 25 as lawmakers suspended debates on a law to create a new autonomous Muslim area in the south. BIFF militants were involved in firefight.General Catapang said, "This will help the peace process because we all know his group is a peace spoiler."
Mohagher Iqbal, the MILF chief peace negotiator, said they will welcome back Kato's followers to their group if they wish to rejoin. He added, "We will not accept those who had committed crimes, like bombings and extortion. You can take out the leader, but like any other terrorist organization, the leader can be replaced."