Amin Bacu or Amin Baco (1983 – October 2017; death unconfirmed) is/was the ISIS Southeast Asia leader who replaced Isnilon Hapilon after he was killed and an expert bomb maker. He also took part on the Mamasapano massacre with Marwan and bombed Basilan and Sulu.[1]

Amin Bacu
Personal details
Born1983
Tawau, Sabah, Malaysia
DiedOctober 2017 (unconfirmed)
Marawi, Lanao del Sur, Philippines
OccupationIslamic terrorist
Military service
Allegiance
Battles/wars

Hatib Sawadjaan, his father in law, was head of Tanum Group, a faction of Abu Sayyaf, and he established close links with Islamic militants in Sabah, Sulawesi and Mindanao. He was married on Jolo island with a member of Abu Sayyaf family.

In November 2002 he masterminded the kidnapping of two Malaysians and was involved in terrorist traffick and firearms between South Philippines and Indonesia. Since 2006 he has operated in Mindanao and coordinated military attacks with ASG, and he was one of the masterminds and key fund raiser of the siege of Marawi.[2]

It was believed he was killed with some 40 other militants in the final assault of the battle of Marawi by the government troops,[3] being part of the last remaining fighters alongside Ibno Kayin,[4] but Col. Romeo Brawner believes that he may still alive.[5] Muhammad Ilham Syahputra, an Indonesian terrorist who was detained on 1 November 2017, said he fled from Marawi City.[6] As of 2024, his fate and whereabouts are unknown.

References

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  1. ^ Talabong, Rambo (6 November 2017). "Amin Baco is new ISIS Southeast Asia leader – PNP". Rappler. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  2. ^ Singh, Jasminder (30 November 2017). "Amin Baco, tri-border emir of Southeast Asia". New Straits Times. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  3. ^ Legaspi, Amita (23 October 2017). "Malaysian bandit leader Amin Bacu believed killed in final clashes in Marawi". GMA News. GMA Network. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  4. ^ "Total victory declared in Marawi over ISIL". Al Jazeera. 23 October 2017. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  5. ^ Ramos, Roy (23 October 2017). "Philippines declares end of combat operations in Marawi". Aa.com.tr. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  6. ^ Singh, Jasminder (23 November 2017). "ISIS' Amin Baco: Tri-border Emir in Southeast Asia". Rajaratnam School of International Studies. Retrieved 7 October 2023.