KIDAPAWAN CITY, Philippines  – The mainstream Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) has claimed the leader of the breakaway Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) is alive.

Mercado Salangani, an MNLF spokesman, said he had a photo taken with BIFF leader Ameril Umbra Kato last Dec 8 inside the rebel’s house where he is undergoing therapy after he suffered a stroke.

The photo, Salangani said, is proof Kato is alive.

He said he deliberately used a film camera for the photo session so he can also show to reporters the negatives.

The photo was shown to media in Cotabato City, last Saturday.

In the photo, he posed next to Kato who was holding a December 8 issue of a national daily.

Kato, who looked frail and haggard, was wearing a dark shirt with a BIFF insignia on it.

He refused, however, to disclose Kato’s place for security reasons.

Two weeks ago, leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) declared Kato was dead.