The Philippine National Police has arrested a former Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) bomber allegedly linked to the 2015 Mamasapano clash that claimed the lives of 44 police commandos and the 28 March ambush of PNP personnel in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur.

The suspect, identified by the PNP as the No. 2 Most Wanted Person in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and the No. 1 Most Wanted Person in Maguindanao del Sur, was captured during a joint operation on 21 July in Barangay Tukanalipao, Mamasapano.

Police said the suspect was arrested by virtue of multiple warrants of arrest for murder, frustrated murder, attempted murder, robbery, and double murder with multiple frustrated murder, one of which carries no bail.

According to police records, the suspect received explosives training from slain international terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias “Marwan,” and another senior extremist operative.

Authorities also identified him as a senior member and adviser of the Panenekelan Criminal Gang with reported links to the Dawlah Islamiyah-Hassan Group. He had also claimed membership in the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s 128th Base Command.

The operation was carried out by the Maguindanao del Sur Police Provincial Office, the Regional Intelligence Division of Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro, the Mamasapano Municipal Police Station, the Philippine Army’s 34th Infantry Battalion, and the PNP Special Action Force’s 44th Special Action Company.

Following his arrest, the suspect was taken to the Maguindanao Provincial Hospital for a medical examination before being placed under the custody of the Mamasapano Municipal Police Station pending turnover to the issuing court.