Sultan kudarat: Joint military-police forces successfully neutralized the leader of a notorious terrorist group operating in Maguindanao del Sur during a law enforcement operation in Maguindanao del Norte before dawn on Sunday. Lt. Col. Ronald Suscano, spokesperson of the Army's 6th Infantry Division, confirmed the death of Esmael Abubakar, alias 'Commander Bungos,' who led the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF)-Bungos faction.

According to Philippines News Agency, Abubakar was killed following a shootout with government troops at around 2 a.m. in Barangay Calzada, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte. He was alone in his hideout when government forces, armed with an arrest warrant issued by a local court, arrived on the scene. The operation was a joint effort involving the Maguindanao del Norte police and soldiers from the Army's 601st Infantry Brigade, initiated after confirming Abubakar's presence at the safehouse.

Abubakar previously commanded a significant number of heavily armed followers in areas known collectively as the 'SPMS box,' which includes the towns of Shariff Aguak, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Mamasapano, and Shariff Saydona Mustapha. He was held responsible for various attacks against military forces in Maguindanao del Sur and linked to bombings of public passenger buses whose operators refused extortion demands from his group.

Maj. Gen. Jose Vladimir Cagara, commander of the 6th Infantry Division, praised the operating units for successfully neutralizing Abubakar. He also expressed gratitude to civilians who provided information on Abubakar's location. "The Joint Task Force Central and the entire 6ID salute the bravery and dedication of our soldiers and police personnel. It was a strategic victory as the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao prepares for the regional polls in September this year," Cagara stated in a separate announcement.