Cotabato City—Police and anti-narcotic agents arrested on Wednesday a leader of the Islamic State—linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, who moonlights as a big-time drug peddler to fund their terror activities.
Juvenal Azurin, director for the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said authorities have been hunting Samad Masgal, a sub-leader of BIFF operating in the borders of North Cotabato and Maguindanao the past three years until they ended up in their search for him at a hospital here.
“The long arm of the law finally caught up with him,” Azurin told reporters hours after PDEA and police read the arrest warrant for Masgal, also known as BIFF commander Madrox.
Masgal, who was facing charges for multiple murder, multiple frustrated murder, illegal possession of firearms and explosives and illegal drug peddling, was seriously injured in a recent clash with another group of armed men in Midsayap, North Cotabato. PNA
He sustained a severe blast injury in his left arm that led to its amputation.
“It’s over for Masgal,” Azurin said, adding that the elusive leader was known as supplier of illegal drugs in Maguindanao and North Cotabato.
Military intelligence officials said Masgal provided funds for the IS-inspired BIFF – the Abu Toraife faction in Central Mindanao – out of his illegal drug trading business.
The PDEA, backed by soldiers and police, tried but failed to arrest Masgal during a law enforcement operation in Nabalawag, Midsayap in August 2014.
Masgal and his men killed two soldiers and a police officer during that operation that also forced the military to launch air and ground assaults.
However, the elusive Masgal managed to escape and allegedly hid in a community on Bongo Island, Parang, Maguindanao under a false identity.
Azurin said PDEA and other security forces received a tip from residents of Barangay Nabalawag that Masgal was confined at a hospital in Cotabato City.
