Al-Qaeda-linked rebel leaders in Philippines dies of heart attack

[JihadiJohn]

Al-Qaeda-linked rebel leaders in Philippines dies of heart attack

PUBLISHED : Thursday, 16 April, 2015, 12:10am
UPDATED : Thursday, 16 April, 2015, 12:10am

Agencies in Manila

Ameril Umbra Kato died following a heart attack and was buried on Tuesday. Photo: Screenshot via Youtube

The Philippine military said a Muslim rebel commander whose group has pledged support to the Islamic State group has died following a long ailment and was replaced by a militant trained in the Middle East.

Military officials said Ameril Umbra Kato, who had links with al-Qaeda militants and opposed peace with the government, died following a heart attack and was buried on Tuesday.

He was replaced as leader of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFF) by his deputy Esmail Abubakar.

Military chief of staff General Gregorio Pio Catapang urged Kato's estimated 100 fighters to rejoin the main Muslim rebel group that signed a peace deal with the government last year, or face a continuing manhunt.

BIFF spokesman Abu Misry Mama said the group would continue its policy of waging jihad, or holy war.

Kato's death followed a five-week military campaign that ended last month to flush out foreign and Filipino militants wanted by the US who had sought refuge in BIFF camps on the main southern island of Mindanao.

Though relatively small, Kato's group was blamed for attacking at least nine Mindanao towns in 2008.

The assaults claimed about 400 lives and forcing 600,000 people to flee their homes.

The BIFF pledged alliance to Islamic State gunmen in Iraq and Syria last year.