The military here has announced the capture of a newly
established camp of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in
Datu Unsay, Maguindanao.
Capt. Joan Petinglay, speaking for the 6th Infantry
Division, said the camp was captured following a brief firefight with the
military's Scout Rangers at 7 a.m. Wednesday in the villgae of Macalag, Datu
Unsay town.
"Our Scout Rangers were able to repel the armed group
who fled from the area to an unknown direction after a fifteen-minute firefight,"
Petinglay said.
After scouring the encounter area, an improvised Cal. 7.62
rifle was recovered by the operating troops believed to be left by the fleeing
BIFF.
In another area just about a kilometer away, another group
of rangers found an abandoned camp with about seven huts that can accommodate
an estimated 60 persons.
The huts were already empty when the troops arrived.
Discovered by government forces were four jungle hammocks;
two pairs battle dress Uniforms; one upper PNP SAF uniform with name cloth
which reads “USMAN”; one bandoleer for M14; one bandoleer for M16 and one
sweatshirt with the marking “BIFF”.
Petinglay said the operation was part of the continuing
efforts of the 6th Infantry Division to go after the remnants of the BIFF after
the group was displaced from their encampments and most of them killed during
the all-out offensive conducted against them more than a month ago.
"The government forces will not allow the lawless group
to establish new encampments that might be a future venue for IED
fabrication," Petinglay said. The BIFF was known for manufacturing
improvised bombs they used against the military and civilian targets.
Petinglay said the successful operation could be attributed
to the concern of civilians who provide tips to the government forces about the
lawless elements.
"It only manifests that majority if not all the people
from Central Mindanao are joining the fight
against a common enemy – terrorism," Petinglay said.
Earlier, the Army found and properly defused a powerful
improviced bomb components in the village
of Katalicanan , Aleosan, North Cotabato .
Members of the Army's 32nd Explosive and Ordnance Disposal
Team responded to reports by concerned civilians about the presence of
suspicious motorcycle parked and unattended at a roadside.
Post blast investigation reveal the following items were
found in the IED: four rounds of cartridge of 60 mm high explosive; one support
charge for 105 mm mortar, one booster charge of 60 mm; detonating cord, steel
balls; bolt and knots.
However, no triggering device was found in the U-Box of the
motorbike.
Police said two men arrived in the village on board a motorbike
which encountered mechanical problem. When residents started to mill around and
observed the duo, they left towards an unknown direction, raising suspicion
among the villagers who alerted the police and the Army.
Petinglay said the Army believed the explosives are to be
set off by the BIFF somewhere else but backed off when civilians became curious
of their activities.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=771337
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