Monday, April 27, 2015

Army downplays BIFF capability to launch major offensives vs. Army

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 27): Army downplays BIFF capability to launch major offensives vs. Army

The Army's 6th Infantry Division on Monday downplayed the capability of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) to launch major offensives against military installations but admitted it is capable of "hit and run" attacks on military and police detachments in Maguindanao.

Capt. Joann Petinglay, speaking for the 6th Infantry Division, said since April 15, the lawless BIFF has launched at least 10 harrasments that left two soldiers and a civilian wounded.

"This is obviously to send the message that it is still a force to reckon with when it truth it is not," she said of the BIFF.

The latest attack carried by the BIFF was in the detachment of 21st Mechanized Company of the 1st Infantry Brigade in Barangay Elian, Datu Saudi Ampatuan.

Petinglay said at past 5 p.m. Saturday, two men walked past the detachment and tossed a hand grenade. A soldier standing in front noticed the grenade throwing and yelled at his companion to drop. Seconds later blast followed.

An hour later, another rifle grenade attack occurred at the 14th mechanized company based in Barangay Bagan, Guindulungan, Maguindanao.

Nobody was hurt in the twin attacks.

Following the incidents, Petinglay said soldiers had intensified their security in all of their positions in Magundanao.

Since BIFF founding chair Ameril Umra Kato died on April 13, the BIFF launched harassment.

Petinglay said Maj. Gen. Edmundo Pangilinan, 6th ID chief, has called on the villagers and the local officials to help monitoring the activities of the lawless elements to prevent similar attacks in the future.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=756626

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