Usman wounded, still in Maguindanao

In an interview on dzBB radio, Mangudadatu said Basit Usman is wounded in the shoulder and may be moving around the town.

"May tama sa bandang balikat si Basit Usman. Nariyan siya sa lugar," he told dzBB's Arnold Clavio and Ali Sotto, citing information reaching him.

But he said he is not discounting the possibility Usman could get to nearby towns in Maguindanao.

In a separate text message, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Col. Restituto Padilla meanwhile said he does not have any information similar to those given by Mangudadatu as of posting time.

Usman is one of the targets in a Jan. 25 operation in Barangay Barangay Tukanalipao in Mamasapano town that left 44 PNP-Special Action Force troopers dead.

Reports at the Senate probe on Thursday indicated that Usman's house was roughly a hundred meters away from slain international terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan.

Killed in the Jan. 25 operation was suspected Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir a.k.a. Marwan, the other target in the operation.

Another wanted bomber targeted by Philippine authorities is wounded and is likely still hiding in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao, provincial governor Esmael Mangudadatu said Friday.

Mangudadatu said his information indicated Usman may have suffered a mild stroke, and he may have difficulty moving around.

 

Also, he said Usman may have five to 10 personnel securing him.

 

"Naroon sila, nagtatago sa may Mamasapano... palipat-lipat sila," he said.

 

On the other hand, Mangudadatu said he could not say if armed groups are coddling him.

Source:
www.gmanetwork.com