A wanted terrorist leader who had evaded capture for years was killed in a predawn military and police operation on Sunday, July 6, 2026 — correction, July 5, 2026 — in Barangay Calsada, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte, when armed resistance from his group met government forces attempting to serve court-issued warrants against him. The Western Mindanao Command, or WESTMINCOM, confirmed the death of Esmael Abubakar, known by the alias "Bungos," who served as chairman of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF)-Bungos Faction.
WESTMINCOM, announcing the development from its headquarters at Camp Navarro in Zamboanga City, described Abubakar as among the most elusive terrorist figures operating in the Bangsamoro region — a man with multiple standing warrants of arrest who had long managed to stay beyond the reach of authorities.
Who Was Esmael "Bungos" Abubakar?
According to WESTMINCOM, Abubakar carried multiple warrants of arrest issued by competent courts, covering some of the most serious criminal offenses under Philippine law. These warrants involved charges of murder, multiple attempted murder, multiple frustrated murder, and destructive arson — a record that authorities said reflected the gravity of violence attributed to his leadership of the BIFF-Bungos Faction.
WESTMINCOM noted that his death brings an end to a prolonged period of evasion that had made him a high-priority target among armed groups still operating in Western Mindanao. He was widely regarded within military and law enforcement circles as one of the region's most wanted figures.
How the Operation Unfolded
The mission was carried out by troops from the 601st Infantry (Unifier) Brigade, which operates under the 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division and Joint Task Force Central. WESTMINCOM said the operation was conducted in coordination with the Maguindanao del Sur Police Provincial Office and other Philippine National Police (PNP) units.
WESTMINCOM described the engagement as a joint law enforcement action, with the primary objective of serving the court-issued warrants against Abubakar. As government forces moved to execute those warrants, Abubakar's group responded with armed resistance, sparking a brief firefight. Abubakar was killed during the exchange. No government troops or police personnel were reported killed or wounded in the operation.
Commander Lauds AFP-PNP Coordination
Lieutenant General Donald M. Gumiran, the commander of WESTMINCOM, publicly commended the soldiers and police officers who took part in the mission. He specifically cited Major General Jose Vladimir R. Cagara, who heads the 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division and Joint Task Force Central, along with Maguindanao del Sur police units for their contributions to the operation's success.
"This successful operation reflects the unwavering commitment of our security forces to uphold the rule of law and protect our communities from individuals who continue to resort to violence," Gumiran said, as quoted in the WESTMINCOM statement.
Gumiran underscored that the result demonstrated the effectiveness of close coordination between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the PNP — a partnership he described as central to WESTMINCOM's operational approach across Western Mindanao.
Part of a Broader Campaign Against Terrorist Groups
WESTMINCOM placed the Abubakar operation within the broader context of its sustained campaign against organized armed groups across the region. The command said that similar intelligence-driven operations in recent months have resulted in the neutralization of several other high-value leaders from different factions.
Among those recently neutralized, according to WESTMINCOM, were Emarudin Kulaw, alias "Alpha King," of the Dawlah Islamiyah-Hassan Group; Amerol Mangoranca, alias "Usman," of the Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute Group; and Anthony Narvasa, alias "Magaw," who served as secretary of the Communist Terrorist Group's Far South Mindanao Regional Committee.
WESTMINCOM said it remains firmly committed to focused, intelligence-led, and community-supported operations carried out in close partnership with the PNP, local government units, and other relevant agencies.
Surrender Appeal Issued to Remaining Members
In the aftermath of the operation, General Gumiran renewed a direct appeal to members of the BIFF, Dawlah Islamiyah, the Communist Terrorist Group, and other armed organizations still active in the region. According to the WESTMINCOM statement, Gumiran urged these individuals to abandon violence and turn themselves in peacefully.
He emphasized that government reintegration and support programs remain accessible to those who choose to return to civilian life. Gumiran also called on communities to remain vigilant and to cooperate actively with authorities by sharing timely information that could help track down members of these groups still at large.
By the Numbers
- July 5, 2026 — date of the predawn clash in Barangay Calsada, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte
- 4 categories of criminal charges covered by Abubakar's standing warrants: murder, multiple attempted murder, multiple frustrated murder, and destructive arson
- 0 government forces killed or wounded during the engagement
- 3 other high-value armed group leaders neutralized by WESTMINCOM in the months preceding this operation
- 4 armed organizations whose remaining members Gumiran called on to surrender: BIFF, Dawlah Islamiyah, Communist Terrorist Group, and other armed groups
Why This Matters
The death of Esmael "Bungos" Abubakar removes the top commander of the BIFF-Bungos Faction, which WESTMINCOM has identified as one of the active terrorist organizations operating in Western Mindanao. His neutralization is the latest in a series of successful operations against high-value armed group leaders, reflecting sustained pressure on organized terrorist factions across the Bangsamoro region. WESTMINCOM has made clear that its campaign will continue, with reintegration programs kept open for those who choose to surrender and public cooperation actively sought to address remaining threats.
Source: Originally reported by breakingnewsnegor.com / Balita