Army, MILF intensify offensives vs ISIS-inspired BIFF

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 25): Army, MILF intensify offensives vs ISIS-inspired BIFF

The military and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have pressed their offensive against an ISIS-inspired group in Maguindanao’s second district.

Early Monday morning, the Army fired artillery shots towards Barangay Muslim in Guindulungan, Maguindanao after black flag-carrying suspected terrorists were seen massing in the village.

Over the weekend, four suspected members of ISIS-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) were injured when the military launched artillery strikes against a BIFF faction that tried to attack Army bases in Guindulungan town, according to Capt. Arvin John Encinas.

Speaking for the 6th Infantry Division, Encinas said the preemptive artillery strike was launched after military units in Guindulungan learned of the suspicious convergence of followers of BIFF leader Imam Bongos, alias Commander Bongos, in a secluded barangay there.

Bongos is a leader of the BIFF faction operating in Maguindanao.

Bongos' men attacked on Saturday dawn the joint personnel of the Army’s 37th Infantry Battalion and 6th ID’s 64th Division Reconnaissance Company in Barangay Muslim, Guindulungan, Maguindanao.

Intelligence officials said followers of Bongos tried to harass an Army detachment in Guindulungan, but changed their plan following the military's artillery bombardment.

The MILF’s Task Force Ittihad (Unity) had been battling the BIFF Esmael Abdulmalik faction after the latter tried to influence MILF-identified communities in Datu Salibo, Maguindanao.

MILF fighters sent to check on the report in Barangays Tee and Andavit triggered sporadic firefights that have already claimed the lives of at least 40 fighters from both sides.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1010617