A new leader has taken the place of deceased Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) founder Ameril Umbra Kato.

Sheik Ismail Abubakar, former BIFF vice chief of staff and the group’s vice chairman for political affairs, has replaced Kato, BIFF spokesperson Abu Misry Mama said.

Despite the military’s pronouncement of the BIFF’s ‘gradual demise’ due to Kato’s death, Misry Mama said the Holy War in Mindanao will go on.

“Hindi naman nangangahulugan na kung mamatay ang isa sa amin ay hihinto na ito kasi hindi ito order ni Ustadz Ameril Umbra Kato. Dumaan lang ito sa kanya kasi order ito ni Allah (Death among our ranks does not mean that we will stop because this is not only an order from Ustadz Amril Umbra Kato but from Allah),” Misry Mama said.

Kato succumbed to cardiac arrest at 2:00 a.m. on Tuesday in Guindulungan, Maguindanao.