(UPDATED) The military again thwarted an attempt by members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) to stage an attack in Maguindanao, Joint Task Force Central spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Anhouvic Atilano said on Thursday, December 10, 2020.

Atilano said the Karialan faction of the BIFF under a certain Diok harassed the patrol base of the 11th Mechanized Company in Barangay Labu-Labu Mother in Shariff Aguak town at around 9:10 p.m. Wednesday, December 9.

BIFF members withdrew after about 25 minutes of gunfight.

Atilano said they were able to obtain intelligence information about the planned attack and intercepted the group with two V-150 armored carriers and two Simba tanks.

No casualty was reported on the government side.

“Sa ngayon nagse-search pa ang tropa sa area para tignan kung may casualty sa enemy side,” said Atilano.

“Enforcement operation tayo ngayon kini-clear lang natin ‘yung pinosisyunan nila, we are in pursuit operation,” he added.

Lieutenant Colonel Cresencio Sanchez Jr., commanding officer of the 1st Mechanized Battalion, said he deployment reinforcement to pursue the BIFF members and establish blockades.

He said the troops recovered assorted ammunition and empty shells of cartridge caliber 50, cartridge 7.62 mm and cartridge 5.56 mm. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo / SunStar Philippines)