Police and military personnel arrested Muslimin Amilil, the second most wanted person in the Bangsamoro, on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, in Mamasapano, Maguindanao del Sur. His wife was also arrested, with authorities seizing from her house in Shariff Saydona Mustapha town high-powered firearms and explosives. (Maguindanao del Sur police photo)
COTABATO CITY — Police authorities in Maguindanao del Sur confirmed on Wednesday the arrest of a bomb expert allegedly trained by slain Malaysian terrorist Zulkipli bin Hir, alias Marwan, during a law enforcement operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao del Sur, on Tuesday.
Col. Michael John Mangahis, Maguindanao del Sur police provincial director, said a joint police and Army law enforcement operation in Barangay Tukanalipao yesterday morning led to the arrest of Muslimin Amilil, the second most wanted person in the Bangsamoro Region.
Barangay Tukanalipao gained notoriety in January 2015 following the operation to capture Marwan, which resulted in the deaths of 44 members of the elite police Special Action Forces (SAF 44), at least 18 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants, and five civilians.
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Mangahis said Amilil is allegedly a former bomb maker of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) under sub-commander Zainodin Kiaro.
He added that Amilil and Karo were both students of the slain Marwan and Dawlah Islamiyah (DI) leader Basit Usman, who was killed during a clash with MILF members in May 2015.
Seized from the house of Amili’s wife were five high-powered rifles, ammunition, three improvised explosive devices, and a minivan.
Amilil is believed to be a senior adviser to the Panenekelan Criminal Gang, which is linked to the DI Hassan Group.
Mangahis said Amilil claims affiliation with the MILF 128 Base Command and was implicated in multiple high-profile incidents, including the March 28, 2026 ambush of PNP personnel in Shariff Aguak and the 2015 SAF 44 Mamasapano incident.
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Mangahis said a follow-up operation also led to the arrest of Amilil’s wife, Aiza Awab Amilil, in Shariff Saydona Mustapha, also in Maguindanao del Sur.
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Seized from her were five high-powered rifles, ammunition, three improvised explosive devices, and a minivan./coa
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