AFP now pursuing five foreign terrorists in cahoots with Basit Usman

Armed Forces of the Philippines. Photo courtesy of AFP Facebook page.

MANILA — Pursuit operations are now being conducted against the five foreign terrorists, four of which are Indonesian and the other one Arab-looking, who are allegedly allied with Filipino bomb-maker Basit Usman.

Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief, said that they also believed that the five are part of the international terror contacts of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) leader Mohammad Ali Tambako.

Tambako allegedly coddled Usman in Mamasapano town, Maguindanao, the very same area where the AFP located and destroyed a BIFF bomb-making factory Sunday.

Cabunoc said the neutralization or capture of Usman along with the five will mean a great deal to peace and order situation in Mindanao.

The AFP public affairs office chief said that they are still to determine on what BIFF groups the latter are affiliated.

They are still also to verify on whether the five has links with ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) extremists and on the date of the latter’s arrival in the country.

As of the moment, Usman and the five are believed to be hiding in the forested and inaccessible areas of Maguindanao and Cotabato.