The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Sunday it is still verifying reports that Filipino bomb maker and terrorist Basit Usman was killed during a firefight in Guindolongan town, Maguindanao.
“We are still verifying this information,” AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Joselito Kakilala said.
Earlier reports claimed that Usman was killed during an encounter on Sunday with a Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) group under Commander Malboro of the 106th Base Command.
Usman and Malaysian terror bomber Zulkipli bin Hir, alias “Marwan,” were the targets of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last Jan. 25.
In the operation and issuing encounter, “Marwan” was killed along with 44 SAF members, 18 MILF fighters and five civilians.
Manila Bulletin
