MANILA - The leader of a hard-line separatist group with links to the Islamic State has died.

Ameril Umbra Kato, whose group, 'The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters' had boycotted the troubled peace process between the Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (the southern island of Mindanao's main Muslim rebel movement) is understood to have passed away from natural causes.

Aged 68, Kato had - according to the Asian News Section of the Wall Street Journal - for many years, been the most wanted man in the Philippines.

Good riddance ...