The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday
announced that ground units have successfully captured a Bangsamoro Islamic
Freedom Fighters (BIFF) improvised bomb-making factory during operations in
Mamasapano town, Maguindanao Sunday.
Col. Melquiades Feliciano, 601st Infantry Brigade commander,
said the troopers successfully captured the encampment owned by Mohammad
Tambako in Barangay Dasikil.
"Our troops successfully seized a bomb-making facility
after assaulting the enemy positions (Sunday). The enemy was able to escape but
the equipment and materials that are used to fabricate home-made bombs were
left behind," he added.
Recovered were improvised explosive components which include
mortar fuses, ammonium nitrate, blasting caps and tie wires.
Feliciano said that Basit Usman is currently coddled by
small bands of notorious bandits from two different BIFF groups.
Mohammad Ali Tambako of Mamasapano town is one of Usman's
current protector.
He is a BIFF leader who had carried out violent atrocities
against civilians both in Maguindanao and North Cotabato .
Another one is BIFF leader named Kagi Karialan with at least
100 followers.
He led the attack on MILF communities and civilian
communities nearby in Kabasalan and Bulol, both in Pikit, North
Cotabato in two separate occasions, displacing at least 25,000
people.
Several tipsters have spotted Usman in the bailiwicks of
these cohorts.
Five foreign nationals who are believed to be members of an
international terrorist organization, were seen moving with Usman as they
evaded their pursuers.
Last March 1, the Army's 6th Infantry Division led by Major
Gen. Edmundo Pangilinan facilitated a meeting with different local government
officials in order to shed light on the ongoing 'all-out offensive' actions
against the BIFF.
Held inside the 6th Infantry Division's Maguindanao
headquarters, the meeting participants tackled different issues including the
purpose of the ongoing law enforcement operations against the BIFF.
During the meeting, the military officials explained that
the government forces are hunting down Basit Usman's group who were sighted in
the hinterland villages Shariff Saydona and Mamasapano municipalities.
Government officials also agreed to collaborate on how to
protect the civilian population and in providing humanitarian assistance to at
least 5,700 affected families who were displaced from their homes.
As of Monday, the AFP has accounted nine members of the BIFF
who were killed in the recent law enforcement operations in Maguindanao.
Three soldiers were also wounded in the fighting.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=740412
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