Ameril Umbra Kato (18 May 1946[2] – 14 April 2015) was a Filipino Islamic militant who was the founder of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), a group which seceded from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). He joined the MILF in or around 1985, after he graduated from the esteemed Wahhabism School Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.[3] Umbra Kato was the Philippines' most wanted man, though due to his membership in MILF he was not hunted by the military.[4] A warrant of arrest was filed against him alongside other BIFF members by the Philippine National Police. The Armed Forces of the Philippines, with the MILF, launched Operation Darkhorse in a bid to arrest him in January 2014.
Ameril Umbra Kato | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Amiril Umbra Kato 18 May 1946 Datu Piang, Maguindanao, Philippine Commonwealth |
| Died | 14 April 2015 (aged 68) Guindulungan, Maguindanao, Philippines |
| Occupation(s) | Founder and leader of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters |
| Allegiance | Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters |
| Criminal charge | Multiple murder Attempted murder (9 counts) Frustrated murder Robbery (26 counts) Arson (10 counts)[1] |
Reward amount | ₱10,000,000.00[1] |
Wanted by | Philippine National Police[1] |
Kato died on 14 April 2015, aged 68. BIFF spokesperson Abu Misry Mama confirmed his death after he was informed by Kato's son that he died at 2:00 am due to complications from pneumonia, possibly after suffering a heart attack or stroke. He was reported to have died in Barangay Kateman in Guindulungan, Maguindanao, but this was denied by the Chairman of that barangay.[5][3]
References
edit- ^ a b c "PNP Nationwide Ten Most Wanted Person". Philippine National Police. Philippine National Police. Archived from the original on 10 February 2015. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
- ^ Madrid, Red (14 April 2015). "Ameril Umbra Kato: Moro Rebel to Rogue". News Central Philippines. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
- ^ a b Torres, Joe (14 April 2015). "Philippines rebel chief dies of heart attack". Manila: UCA News. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
- ^ "AFP: Hardline Philippine rebel vows to derail peace". Google.com. 28 August 2011. Archived from the original on 30 January 2014. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
- ^ Andong, Lore Mae (14 April 2015). "BIFF confirms Kato's death; replacement named". ABS-CBN News Central Mindanao. Retrieved 14 April 2015.