TWO suspected members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) were killed while two others were wounded during a two-day focused military operation against the group since Monday, April 9, a military official said Wednesday.
Captain Arvin Encinas, spokesperson of the army’s 6th Infantry Division, said the main subject of the two-day operation was the BIFF under Bungos faction in Barangay Pamalian and Barangay Pagatin in Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao.
He said on April 9, the first day of the military operation, a series of encounters ensued between the government troops and the BIFF members for three hours, which resulted in the killing of two rebels while four persons including two soldiers were wounded.
On April 10, the operation continued that resulted in the recovery of 20 assorted firearms and parts, destruction of two gun manufacturing machines, magazines and ammunitions, and the destruction of Abu Nasria liar, said Encinas.
“The Joint Task Force Central utilized all available air assets, artillery as well as armor assets in support of the ground operations of the different field units,” he said.
Meantime, Joint Task Force Central (JTFC) commander said troops will continue pursuit against terror groups like the BIFF that threaten the peace and security of communities.
“The continued support and cooperation of the community hastens and compliments the ability of JTFC to counter the efforts of the radical extremist groups in sowing fear and violence in the area of operation,” he said. (SunStar Philippines)