Usman still in Maguindanao — AFP

Abdul Basit Usman

MANILA — Despite the arrest of Justice for Islam Movement founder Mohammad Ali Tambako Sunday night in Gen. Santos City, there are still no indications that Filipino terrorist Basit Usman have penetrated the military cordon in Maguindanao.

“Yes, he is still there (Maguindanao),” Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Joselito Kakilala said Tuesday when asked if the military was aware of Usman’s whereabouts.

Kakilala declined to comment further more on the matter as doing so could compromise ongoing operations.

He also said that locations of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters commanders Karialan and Bongos, whom Usman allegedly linked up with to escape military pressure, were still somewhere in the Maguindanao marshland.

Kakilala said Usman made the alliance with Karialan and Bongos last Thursday shortly after his nephew was killed by military forces during the ongoing offensive against them.

Both BIFF leaders have an estimated 200 to 300 fighters.