Monday, March 28, 2016

Army presents 64 IEDs recovered after operation vs. BIFF

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 28): Army presents 64 IEDs recovered after operation vs. BIFF

An outlawed Moro armed group has been manufacturing improvised explosive devices aimed at killing or wounding combatants and non combatants alike in Maguindanao and nearby provinces, the military here said today.

It was clearly evident when the Army's 6th Infantry "Kampilan" Division through its Task Force Central presented to the media on Monday various improvised explosive devices (IEDs) recovered, disposed and defused by Army bomb experts.

Capt. Joann Petinglay, speaking for Task Force Central, said the IEDs were manufactured and dispersed by the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

The Geneva-banned war materials were recovered during the more than one month operations against the BIFF in Datu Salibo, Maguindanao.

It started when the outlawed group torched two heavy equipment of a private construction company dredging portions of the town for the flood control project.

When the Army responded, a full blown shooting war erupted and lasted until mid-March, leaving five soldiers killed and 35 others injured, mostly by IEDs.

Civilians near the clash area claimed more than 50 BIFF were killed in the operation but the Army would not confirm nor deny the report.

But an Army junior officer said the number of fatalities could be that high since the Army used air and ground assaults against the BIFF who were armed with dangerous Barret sniper rifles.

With the number of IEDs recovered, Petinglay said, the BIFF clearly aims to inflict more injuries, not only against government forces but also civilians.

“This is a manifestation that the BIFF will sow more terroristic activities in the area, with utter disregard for the safety of the civilians,” Petinglay said.

She said soldiers of the Joint Task Force "Kampilan" will continue to intensify its operations to clear the area IEDs “so that people in the community can go back with their normal lives.”

At least 3,000 individuals from several villages of Datu Salibo remain in evacuation sites and hoping the Army would give the green light soon for them to return home and rebuild their lives.

At 8 a.m. today, the Army bomb disposal unit will dispose by detonation all the confiscated, recovered and unserviceable high explosives in a disposal area in Barangay Semba, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

“We would like to inform the public, especially those living near Barangay Sema, and Cotabato City that a series of explosions will be heard beginning this morning,” Petinglay said.

She reiterated earlier appeals for the public to remain vigilant to ensure ill motives of BIFF will not succeed.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=870836

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