MAGUINDANAO DEL SUR, Philippines — A former leader of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) died after reportedly suffering a heart attack during a gun attack on his residence in Barangay Pusao, Shariff Saydona Mustapha on Saturday night, authorities confirmed.
The fatality was identified as Esmail Abdulmalik, also known by his alias Abu Toraife, a former senior figure of the Dawlah Islamiyah–Turaife Group, a hardline faction linked to the BIFF.
According to Lt. Col. Ronald Suscano, spokesperson of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, Abdulmalik was not hit by any gunfire during the incident. However, he is believed to have suffered a heart attack at the height of the shooting, when unidentified armed men reportedly opened fire on his house.
Abdulmalik was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead on arrival by attending physicians.
Initial reports indicated that a group of still unidentified gunmen suddenly unleashed a barrage of gunfire at the former rebel leader’s residence. No other casualties or injuries were reported in the attack.
Authorities are pursuing multiple angles in the ongoing investigation to determine the motive and identity of the perpetrators. Among those being considered are a possible rido or clan feud, internal conflict or infighting within fragmented factions of the BIFF and Dawlah Islamiyah, or a targeted operation linked to ongoing counterterrorism efforts against extremist groups in the region.
The military noted that Abdulmalik had previously surrendered to government forces under the 6th Infantry Battalion in past years, a development that may also factor into the investigation.
In the wake of the incident, security forces have been placed on heightened alert across parts of Maguindanao to prevent any potential retaliatory attacks from remaining followers or allied groups.
Officials said the investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to establish accountability and prevent further escalation of violence in the area.