A predawn law enforcement operation in Barangay Calsada, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte ended with the death of one of Western Mindanao’s most sought-after armed group leaders — Esmael Abubakar, alias “Bungos,” chairman of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF)-Bungos Faction. The Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) announced the outcome of the Sunday, July 5, 2026 operation from its headquarters at Camp Navarro in Zamboanga City, confirming that no government troops were killed or wounded during the engagement.
Who Was Esmael Abubakar?
WESTMINCOM described Abubakar as one of the most elusive figures among active armed groups in the Bangsamoro region. Known by the alias “Bungos,” he served as the chairman of the BIFF faction that bore his name. According to WESTMINCOM, he had long evaded capture despite being the subject of multiple standing warrants of arrest issued by competent courts.
The criminal charges that prompted those warrants were serious in nature. Court records cited by WESTMINCOM show that Abubakar faced charges covering four offense categories: murder, multiple attempted murder, multiple frustrated murder, and destructive arson. His ability to avoid authorities over an extended period made him one of the command’s most prioritized targets in the region.
Troops Met with Armed Resistance During Warrant Service
The operation was not a combat patrol but a law enforcement action, WESTMINCOM clarified. Joint forces were deployed to serve the court-issued warrants against Abubakar when members of his group opened fire, triggering a brief but fatal firefight.
According to WESTMINCOM, the operation was carried out by elements of the 601st Infantry (Unifier) Brigade under the 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division and Joint Task Force Central. These forces worked in close coordination with the Maguindanao del Sur Police Provincial Office and other Philippine National Police units. The coordinated nature of the mission reflected the AFP-PNP partnership that WESTMINCOM has identified as a core feature of its operational strategy in Western Mindanao.
Senior Commanders Commend the Operation
Lieutenant General Donald M. Gumiran, WESTMINCOM commander, praised both the military and police personnel who took part in the mission. In his statement, Gumiran also recognized Major General Jose Vladimir R. Cagara, commander of the 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division and Joint Task Force Central, along with the Maguindanao del Sur police contingent, for their contributions to the operation’s success.
“This successful operation reflects the unwavering commitment of our security forces to uphold the rule of law and protect our communities from individuals who continue to resort to violence,” Gumiran said, as quoted in the WESTMINCOM statement.
Gumiran added that the result underscored the importance of sustained coordination between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police — a partnership he described as central to how the command conducts operations across its area of responsibility.
A Series of High-Value Neutralizations
WESTMINCOM placed the killing of Abubakar within the broader context of an ongoing, sustained campaign against organized armed groups across Western Mindanao and the wider Bangsamoro region. The command noted that several other high-value leaders had been neutralized in operations conducted in the months preceding this latest action.
Among those previously taken down, according to WESTMINCOM, were Emarudin Kulaw, alias “Alpha King,” of the Dawlah Islamiyah-Hassan Group; Amerol Mangoranca, alias “Usman,” of the Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute Group; and Anthony Narvasa, alias “Magaw,” who served as secretary of the Communist Terrorist Group’s Far South Mindanao Regional Committee.
WESTMINCOM said its campaign is driven by focused, intelligence-based planning and is conducted in partnership with the PNP, local government units, and other partner agencies. The command described community support as an essential element of its operational approach.
Gumiran Urges Remaining Members to Lay Down Arms
In the aftermath of the operation, Lieutenant General Gumiran renewed his call for the remaining members of the BIFF, Dawlah Islamiyah, the Communist Terrorist Group, and other armed organizations to peacefully surrender and abandon violence. According to the WESTMINCOM statement, Gumiran emphasized that reintegration programs and civilian support services remain available to those who choose to return to lawful society.
Gumiran also appealed to the general public to remain vigilant and to actively cooperate with authorities by sharing timely and accurate information that could assist in locating and apprehending members of these groups who remain at large.
By the Numbers
- July 5, 2026 — date of the operation in Barangay Calsada, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte
- 4 criminal offense categories covered by Abubakar’s court-issued warrants: murder, multiple attempted murder, multiple frustrated murder, and destructive arson
- 0 casualties recorded on the government side during the engagement
- 3 other high-value armed group leaders previously neutralized by WESTMINCOM in recent months
- 4 armed organizations whose remaining members WESTMINCOM has called on to surrender: BIFF, Dawlah Islamiyah, Communist Terrorist Group, and other armed groups
Why This Matters
The death of Esmael Abubakar eliminates the top leadership of the BIFF-Bungos Faction, which WESTMINCOM has classified as one of the active terrorist organizations operating in Western Mindanao. This outcome is part of a documented pattern of high-value neutralizations across multiple armed factions in the Bangsamoro region, reflecting sustained pressure on organized groups that have long operated in the area. WESTMINCOM has made clear that open surrender channels and reintegration programs remain in place, and that continued public cooperation is being sought to pursue those still evading authorities.
Source: Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) / Philippine military public affairs
