DWDD: INTENSIFIED OPERATIONS | BIFF losses/casualties on the rise

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Sep 26): INTENSIFIED OPERATIONS  |  BIFF losses/casualties on the rise



ZAMBOANGA CITY (DWDD) – The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) have sustained 62 casualties as military offensives intensified to rid the province of the Daesh-inspired terrorist in Central Mindanao.

According to latest report from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), they have recently apprehended nine (9) terrorist and have recovered eight firearms and 28 Improvised Explosive Devices and components since fighting started last August 2 in Maguindanao.

So far, the BIFF has lost 41 member while 21 were wounded during joint security operations by the AFP and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front against the BIFF faction of Esmael Abdul Malik aka Abu Toraype.

Major General Arnel Delavega, commander of the Joint Task Force Central stated that MILF ground forces, maneuvering on BIFF lairs, were able to purge the terrorists from their areas, particularly in the municipalities of Shariff Saydona Mustapha and Datu Salibo, both in Maguindanao.

The MILF complemented the AFP’s ground forces by serving on blocking positions on possible enemy withdrawal routes, while the Army’s field artillery and the Air Forces’ Air assets pounded the enemy holed up in Barangay Damablac, Talayan, Maguindanao.

Delavega added that goverment forces ar sustaining their security operations on built-up areas, route, particularly in vulnerable areas, in coordination with the PNP, to prevent the enemy from conducting retaliatory attacks or other atrocities.

Recently, soldiers were able to pre-empt BIFF members from transporting a 60mm mortar from Barangay Damablac, Talayan, Maguindanao towards Barangay Nabalawag, Midsayap, North Cotabato.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant General Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., commander of the AFP Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM), maintained that the threat the government is confronting in Central Mindanao, instigated by the BIFF, is very much related to the Daesh-inspired Maute terror group creating havoc in Marawi City. And resembling the AFP’s efforts in containing the threats in the other areas of the Command, the WestMinCom is still very much in control of the situation in Central Mindanao.

By following the principle of ‘Economy of Force,’ the sustained the operational momentum in Central Mindanao by employing the forces-in-being of the JTF Central with very minimal augmentation of air assets. Very significantly, the strategic alliance by the AFP with the MILF continues to benefit the security campaign as the MILF confront the BIFF fighting side by side with our soldiers. With this, we are able to still focus our forces in Marawi City, while winning over the threat in Central Mindanao and in other parts of our joint area of operations. And we sustain our efforts to address the threat of terrorism in our area, added Galvez.

As of the latest, 20 MILF members were killed and 41 others were wounded since the operations started, while seven soldiers have sustained injuries. AES/ALS

http://dwdd.com.ph/2017/09/26/intensified-operations-biff-lossescasualties-on-the-rise/