Wednesday, February 19, 2014

3 BIFF hurt in clash with Army in Maguindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 20): 3 BIFF hurt in clash with Army in Maguindanao

Three members of the renegade Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) were hurt in a clash with government forces in Maguindanao on Thursday, the Army here said.

Three assault rifles were also recovered following a clash between BIFF and elements of the 45th Infantry Battalion in a remote village in the borders of Shariff Saydona and Mamasapano towns in Maguindanao, according to Colonel Dickson Hermoso.

Hermoso, speaking for the 6th Infantry Division based in Maguindanao, said government forces and BIFF guerrillas, led by Imam Tambako, opened fire at patrolling troops of the 45th IB at abou 7:00 a.m. in Mamasapano, triggering a 30-minute firefight.

Hermoso said the rebels fled to the Maguindanao marshland bringing with them three wounded comrades but left their rifles.

“The firearms were recovered along the escape route of the BIFF rebels,” Hermoso said, adding that the firearms, M-14 and M-16 Armalite rifles were stained with blood.

While the Army ceased massive manhunt against the BIFF following a major encounter in early February, soldiers continue conducing regular patrol operation in areas believed to be area of operation of the BIFF.

Hermoso said pursuit operation was still going on.

Following the fall of its major camp in Datu Shariff Saydona, the BIFF had split into smaller groups and mingled with the civilians, according to Hermoso.

At least 52 rebels and a soldier were killed in two weeks air and ground assaults by government forces against BIFF forces in Maguindanao which also displaced closed to 10,000 people.

Normalcy has been restored in affected towns.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=618027

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