Security forces clash with BIFF, one brigand captured, several weapons seized

From the Philippine News Agency (May 10): Security forces clash with BIFF, one brigand captured, several weapons seized

Troopers from the 45th Infantry Battalion and 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion together with members of local law enforcement agencies have captured a member of the "Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter" (BIFF) along with five M-16 automatic rifles and other materiel during security operations in Barangay Sapakan, Rajah Buayan town, Maguindanao, Friday morning.

Col. Dickson Hermoso, 6th Infantry Division spokesperson, said on Saturday that the military units along with members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency were conducting routine security operations when fired upon by BIFF members headed by one "Cmdr Marrox" before 1 a.m.

Hermoso said the encounter lasted for 30 minutes and resulted in the arrest of one Datu Ali Sailala and capture of five M-16 automatic rifles, several combat packs, one hand grenade, an ICOM antenna, BIFF insignias and rank patches and several sachets of "shabu" paraphernalias.

He said no government losses were reported.

The 6ID spokesman said pursuit operations were still ongoing against the fleeing BIFF forces.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=642394