Kato saluted as ‘warrior’

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte saluted the late Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter (BIFF) founder Ameril Umbra Kato as a warrior even though he was an enemy of the state.
“I would like to extend my condolences if it true that he is dead but if it is not then I will say sorry,” he said.
In a report from Mindanews, Cotabato Mayor Samsoddin “Pink” Dimaukom confirmed the death of Kato last Tuesday.
Citing information he received from Kato’s relatives and other sources in Maguindanao, Dimaukom said in a phone interview that the rebel leader died from cardiac arrest somewhere in Guindulungan, Maguindanao at around 2 a.m. Tuesday.
But the official said he did not know where Kato would be buried, as Muslim practice requires a dead person to be buried no longer than 24 hours after his death.
Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chief peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal also said in a text message that the report was “99 percent confirmed”.
Reports of Kato’s death have been circulating in the region since early Tuesday.
Kato left the MILF to form the BIFF over differences on the conduct of the peace talks with government. Armando B. Fenequito Jr.