TROOPS of the Army’s 7th Infantry Battalion have recovered three remains of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) while conducting clearing operation in Maguindanao, the military said Friday, March 13.
Colonel Jose Narciso, Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade commander, said the remains were recovered at 9:20 a.m. Friday in the lair of the BIFF in the village of Salman, Ampatuan, Maguindanao.
Narciso said they believed the three were killed, and abandoned, in the recent skirmish between the BIFFs and the troops in the area.
“This is how heartless the terrorists are; they just leave their slain comrades behind,” Narciso said.
He said also recovered in the area were one improvised explosive device (IED) fashioned out as a landmine and personal belongings of the BIFF.
He said examinations will be conducted for the proper identification of three cadavers.
“The recoveries indicate substantial gains and weakening of the enemy’s manpower and capability,” said Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom).
“Rest assured, we will continue with our focused operations to penetrate BIFF lairs and totally eradicate their remaining members, for the people of Central Mindanao to savor lasting peace and sustainable development,” Sobejana added. (SunStar Zamboanga)