JOINT military and police forces have recovered three high-powered firearms and other war materials while conducting law enforcement operations in areas believed to be lairs of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFFs) in the hinterlands of North Cotabato, the military reported.
Major General Diosdado Carreon, Joint Task Force Center commander, said the firearms consisting of two M-16 Armalite rifles and one M-14 rifle were recovered on Saturday, December 28, 2019 in an abandoned house in the village of Nabalawag, Midsayap, North Cotabato.
Carreon added recovered were 44 rounds of 7.62- millimeter (mm) ammunition; 23 rounds of 5.56-mm ammunition; seven M14 magazines; one long M16 magazine; one ICOM (BAOFENG) with charger; one FM Transceiver FT 2900; one Nokia cellular phone; two M-16 Bandoleers; one M-14 Bandoleer; and, one backpack.
Carreon said the troops of the 34th Infantry Battalion and Midsayap policemen were conducting joint law enforcement support operation targeting a notorious bomber of the BIFFs-Karialan Faction when they recovered the firearms and war materials.
Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, lauded the troops and police for the remarkable accomplishment.
“As we are about to welcome another year, let us remain steadfast in all our endeavors and maintain our strong inter-agency collaboration,” Sobejana said.
“We dedicate all our successes to our gallant soldiers, their families, and the peace-loving people of Mindanao,” he added. (SunStar Zamboanga)