Sunday, February 21, 2016

100 BIFF IEDs disarmed in Datu Salibo town

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 20): 100 BIFF IEDs disarmed in Datu Salibo town

Military explosive ordnance disposal teams has so far disarmed and defused around 100 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) laid by Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) during clearing operations at Barangay Tee, Datu Salibo town, Maguindanao

Armed Forces spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla revealed this during the sidelines of the PMA Alumni Homecoming held in Fort Del Pilar, Baguio City Saturday.

He added that the more than week-long clearing operations resulted in the wounding of three troopers engaged in the disarming of the IEDs

Padilla also clarified that there were no more BIFF bandits in the area but he warned residents from returning yet as the brigands indiscriminately scattered IEDs and other booby traps during their retreat where they mixed with the local populace, making their identification difficult and time consuming.

He called these acts as "anti-people" and "anti-development" as atrocities effectively stalled ongoing development projects in the area.

The military spokesperson also added that Barangay Tee seemed to be the center of the BIFF bomb-making effort due to the number of IEDs recovered and disarmed in the locality.

Padilla said disarming efforts would continue at a pace safe for the EOD teams.

He stressed that a foreign terrorist seemed to have provided the BIFF with assistance in constructing these deadly weapons.

Padilla declined to identify the name of the foreign terrorist nor the latter's group affiliation pending a more detailed investigation.

Military offensive against the bandit group went in a high pitch after the BIFF harassed ongoing development projects, including dredging works in the Butilen River in Datu Salibo last Feb. 5.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=859157

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