Eight lawless elements were killed and a temporary
encampment was captured during air and ground assaults in Maguindanao, the
military here said.
Capt. Joann Petinglay, speaking for the 6th Infantry
Division, said two areas in Maguindanao were subjected to massive offensive
Thursday as the military-led Task Force Central intensified its offensives
against Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).
Petinglay said at about 7 a.m., two Mechanized Platoons
under 1st Mechanized Brigade, Joint Task Force Central, conducted clearing
operation at Sitio Tatapan, Barangay Kitango, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao.
The government forces captured a temporary encampment that
yielded seven 60 mm mortar fuses, one ballistic helmet, gun powder suspected
ammonium nitrate placed in a plastic container, one short magazine steel for
M-16 Armalite rifle, one roll of electrical wire and assorted cell phone parts.
Petinglay said on the same day at 11 a.m., the operating
troops were also able to chance upon another temporary encampment in the area
where they have seen the following: one battery pack of Harris HH Tactical
radio, PNP uniform, combat pack and combat boots.
She added that at about 9:30 a.m., another operational area
was targeted with two MG-520 helicopters were providing air support to ground
troops in Barangay Tee, Datu Salibu, Maguindanao in response to the information
that BIFF under Karialan was in the area.
When the BIFF fired at the military air assets, the military
confirmed the BIFF presence.
Immediately, Col del Rosario, commander of the 1st Mechanize
Brigade, requested for close air support from four MG-520s and two SF-260s TF
(Layang) from Tactical Operations Group (Air Force 12), Philippine Air Force.
She said the aircraft delivered rockets and machine gun
fires towards the enemy who were also firing at the air crafts.
After two helicopter sorties, the 1st Mechanized Brigade
delivered indirect fires from Datu Piang and Salbu fire bases.
At past 12 noon, infantry troops were sent to scour the area
and check on the enemy.
At past 6 p.m. on the same day, airstrike and artillery
fires were delivered at Sitio Nemao, Barangay Balanaken, Datu Piang, Maguindanao
which resulted to the death of eight BIFF members.
Quoting Task Force Central commander Maj. Gen. Edmundo
Pangilinan, Petinglay said the recent engagements had greatly weakened the
capability of the BIFF to fight back against the government forces.
"The BIFF fighters are now disoriented and will
eventually experience shortage of ammunition and logistics," she said.
Petinglay said the positive and timely reporting of
concerned civilians on the location of the BIFF is responsible for the
calculated movements and actions of the operating forces in the area.
Pangilinan is hoping that civilians will continue to be
cooperative so that the remnants of the BIFF will be finished up and the
operations be done the soonest.
"We want this conflict over the soonest possible time
because we know how difficult it was for internally displaced persons,"
Petinglay said.
"Our troops are also tired and physically slow but will
perform its task as long as necessary," she said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=744315
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