Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters–Bungos Faction (BIFF-BF)  Chairman Esmael "Kumander Bungos" Abubakar was neutralized during an implementation of warrants of arrest at Sitio Tambak, Barangay Calsada in the town of Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte on 5 July.

According to the Police Regional Office of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, Abubakar is the Top 1 Most Wanted Person at the Regional Level in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. 

The operation was jointly undertaken by the Maguindanao del Sur Police Provincial Office in coordination with the 601st Infantry Brigade and other operating units of the 6th Infantry "Kampilan" Division, Philippine Army, with operational support from the Philippine National Police–Special Action Force and intelligence support from the Regional Intelligence Division of PRO BAR.

The operation aimed to serve multiple warrants of arrest against Abubakar for several criminal offenses, including Murder, Murder with Multiple Frustrated Murder, Qualified Direct Assault with Multiple Attempted Murder, Attempted Murder, and Destructive Arson, as issued by the Regional Trial Court, 12th Judicial Region, Branches 13, 14, and 15, Cotabato City.

Upon reaching the target area, the operating teams secured the vicinity and identified themselves as government law enforcement personnel while ordering the suspect to peacefully surrender. Instead of complying, Abubakar allegedly drew a caliber .45 pistol and opened fire at the operating troops, prompting them to return fire in the exercise of lawful self-defense, resulting in his neutralization.

Recovered from the crime scene were one chamber-loaded caliber .45 pistol (Para Ordnance) bearing Serial Number 48297, one magazine inserted in the firearm, three live caliber .45 cartridges, and three fired caliber .45 cartridge cases, all of which were turned over for proper forensic examination and documentation.Abubakar, also known as "Ikay" and "Kumander Bungos," previously served as Vice Chairman for Political Affairs of the BIFF under its founder, the late Ameril Umbra Kato.

Following the division within the organization, he established the BIFF-Bungos Faction and assumed its leadership in 2015. His group has been operating in several areas of Maguindanao and has been linked to numerous violent attacks against government forces and civilians.

He was listed as the Top 1 Most Wanted Person at the regional level in BARMM and at the provincial level in Maguindanao del Sur. He was likewise included in the Department of National Defense–Department of the Interior and Local Government Joint Order of Rewards for Local Terrorist Groups, carrying a P3 million bounty, and was designated as an individual terrorist under Anti-Terrorism Council Resolution No. 16 (2021).Authorities have linked Abubakar and his group to a series of violent activities, including harassment attacks, improvised explosive device incidents, ambushes, road blockades, and other atrocities targeting government forces. Members of the BIFF-Bungos Faction were likewise implicated in the ambush of Philippine National Police personnel in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur, on 28 March.

Police Brigadier General Christopher M. Abecia, Regional Director of Police Regional Office Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, commended the operating troops for the successful implementation of the joint law enforcement operation.

"The successful conduct of this operation reflects the strong partnership and seamless coordination between the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines in enforcing the rule of law and protecting our communities from violent extremist threats. PRO BAR remains steadfast in working alongside our partner agencies to sustain peace, strengthen public safety, and ensure that those who threaten the security of our communities are brought to justice," PBGEN Abecia said.

The neutralization of Abubakar marks another significant accomplishment in the government’s sustained campaign against terrorism and violent extremism in the Bangsamoro Region. Through strengthened inter-agency collaboration and intelligence-driven law enforcement operations, the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines remain committed to dismantling armed threat groups, safeguarding communities, and preserving lasting peace and security across the region.