Abdul Basit Usman
| Abdul Basit Usman | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
Ahmad Akmad Usman y Batabol 1974 Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao, Philippines |
| Died |
3 May 2015 (aged 40–41)[1] Guindulungan, Maguindanao, Philippines |
| Nationality | Filipino[2] |
| Other names | |
| Religion | Islam |
Ahmad Akmad Usman y Batabol,[3] (1974 - 3 May 2015) more commonly known as Abdul Basit Usman, was a bomb making expert who was head of the Special Operations Group of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and had links with Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah groups.[4] Usman was on the US Rewards for Justice program list, offering US $1 million for his capture.[2]
Early life
Usman was born in 1974 in Labo-Labo village in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao.[3] He worked as an Overseas Filipino Worker in Pakistan before engaging in militant activities.[5]
Death
Abdul Basit Usman was killed by a chance encounter by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front on May 3, 2015 in Guindulungan, Maguindanao.[1][6][7]
It is suspected one of Usman's bodyguards killed him in order to collect the $1 million bounty on Usman's head.[8] According to the Armed Forces of the Philippines public statement, "There was in-fighting among his bodyguards. When he was killed, he had 7 bodyguards -- but these bodyguards were not the most loyal to him."
Usman's body was discovered by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front at their 118th Base Camp at reported the Philippine government, likely in hopes to boost peace talks.[9]
Militant activity
FitMart Mall bombing
Usman was implicated with the FitMart Mall bombing in General Santos City in April 21, 2002 which killed at least 15 people and injured 55 others.[4] Several weeks later he was arrested for the implications against him in regards to the bombing. He is believed to have assembled the bomb which was detonated in front of the mall's department store. He was interrogated and imprisoned at the Sarangani Provincial Police Station. Abdul Basit Usman exhibited satisfactory behavior during imprisonment, which allowed him to be made as a preso caballero or a minimum security detainee. Usman was not locked up in his detention cell, and this led to him escaping detention in October 2002.[5]
Cooperation with Tahir Alonto
Upon his escape Usman joined Tahir Alonto, who was a former commander of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Alonto was accused by the military for leading the Pentagon, a kidnap-for-ransom group. Usman later offered to turn himself in and asked the police to arrest him. Police Senior Inspector Aucelito Cabang who was Usman's custodial officer along with three other officers came to Alonto's controlled territory to arrest Usman but was tricked and killed.[5]
Later bombings
Usman would be later linked to other bombings; the bombing at the public market of Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat in October 10, 2006 which injured four people and the Cotabato City bombings in January 5 and 7, 2007 which killed 2 people and injured 3 people.[4]
Supposed deaths
Usman was reported to have been killed along with several others in a US drone strike in Pakistan near the Afghan border in January 14, 2010. The drone strike targeted Pakistani Taliban leader, Hakimullah Mehsud.[10] Later, he was also reported to have been a casualty of a series of military shellings done in Maguindanao.[5] In January 2015, President Aquino vowed, "We will get Usman."[11]
Terror threat
Usman tries to planning a bomb attack Davao City[12] because of the potential terror threat. On June 27, 2014, President Benigno S. Aquino III tries to talk on a phone to the Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte about the threat in Davao City for the another bombing incident since the next day.
Mamasapano clash
Usman later resurfaced after he was reported to be killed twice. On January 25, 2015, Abdul Basit Usman was one of two targets in Oplan Exodus in Mamasapano, Mindanao, Philippines, now known as the 2015 Mamasapano clash. His companion and other target of the operation, Zulkifli Abdhir was killed in the raid, while Basit escaped.[13]
Usman fled to safehaven elsewhere in the Liguasan Marsh. Reports claim he was wounded in the Mamasapano Clash, but it was not clear how badly he was wounded. Both the AFP and the MILF launched an offensive to find and capture him, however they both were unsuccessful.
On May 3, 2015, members of Usman's bodyguards, shot and killed Usman while traveling to a MILF controlled Base Camp.
All-out Offensive
Usman later fled to somewhere in Liguasan Marsh. Reports said he was wounded in Mamasapano clash and AFP launched the offensive to capture him.
References
- 1 2 "Basit Usman killed in Maguindanao firefight, Palace confirms". Interaksyon. 3 May 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
- 1 2 "Abdul Basit Usman". Rewards For Justice. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Dizon, Nikko (3 February 2015). "Maguindanao bomb expert on US wanted list". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
- 1 2 3 Dioquino, Rose-An Jessica; Perez, Analyn (9 February 2015). "Infographic: Profiling Marwan and Usman, the bomb-making ‘trainors'". GMA News. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 Espejo, Edwin (31 January 2015). "Abdul Basit Usman: The one that got away". Rappler. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
- ↑ Aurelio, Julie (4 May 2015). "Bomber Basit Usman killed by MILF". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
- ↑ "Usman killed in Maguindanao – report". Manila Bulletin. 3 May 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
- ↑ http://www.ibtimes.co.in/abdul-basit-usman-philippines-most-wanted-terrorist-killed-by-bodyguard-1-million-bounty-631284
- ↑ http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/689608/its-official-milf-killed-basit-usman-afp
- ↑ "US drone 'kills Filipino militant Abdul Basit Usman'". BBC News. 22 January 2010. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
- ↑ "Aquino vows justice for SAF 44: 'We will get Usman'". rappler.com. February 6, 2015.
- ↑ "PNoy alerts Duterte on potential terror threat". ABS-CBN News. June 28, 2014. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
- ↑ Unson, John (27 January 2015). "Villagers: Rebels finished off SAF members with shots to the head". philstar.com. Retrieved 13 March 2015.