TEN members of a faction of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) that pledged allegiance to the Islamic State were killed during a series of air strikes in Maguindanao, military officials reported on Wednesday.
The weekend bombings were carried out as the military intensified its operations against the BIFF in Central Mindanao, following a statement earlier by President Duterte about the presence of IS-inspired terrorists in the area, particularly in the municipality of Buldon.
The weekend bombings were carried out as the military intensified its operations against the BIFF in Central Mindanao, following a statement earlier by President Duterte about the presence of IS-inspired terrorists in the area, particularly in the municipality of Buldon.
While local officials and even members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) initially dismissed the information, they said the terrorists may be seeking refuge at Mount Cararao, which sits at the border of Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao.
Capt. Jo-ann Petinglay, spokesman of the Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said the military’s Joint Task Force (JTF) Central carried out a series of air strikes against the IS-inspired BIFF at Barangay Tee, Datu Salibo, Maguindanao last Sunday.
Capt. Jo-ann Petinglay, spokesman of the Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said the military’s Joint Task Force (JTF) Central carried out a series of air strikes against the IS-inspired BIFF at Barangay Tee, Datu Salibo, Maguindanao last Sunday.
Petinglay said the bombings, which ceased at around 2 p.m. on the same day, were in support to the members of the Army’s 57th Infantry Battalion and MILF fighters who were battling the BIFF.
The Army troops reinforced members of the MILF who were fighting the IS-inspired faction of the BIFF.
Two members of the MILF identified as Butukan Bungayen and Jojo Sampayan were killed during the fighting.
The BIFF is a breakaway group of the MILF, and a faction of the BIFF which pledged allegiance to the Islamic State later broke away from the main BIFF group.
“The air strikes were employed by our operating troops with the end state of destroying the strongholds of terrorists, thus, depriving them of means to support their nefarious ploys, which are not limited to their IED [improvised explosi device] making activities and training of recruits,” Petinglay quoted Maj. Gen. Arnel de la Vega, commander of the JTF Central, as saying.
The Army troops reinforced members of the MILF who were fighting the IS-inspired faction of the BIFF.
Two members of the MILF identified as Butukan Bungayen and Jojo Sampayan were killed during the fighting.
The BIFF is a breakaway group of the MILF, and a faction of the BIFF which pledged allegiance to the Islamic State later broke away from the main BIFF group.
“The air strikes were employed by our operating troops with the end state of destroying the strongholds of terrorists, thus, depriving them of means to support their nefarious ploys, which are not limited to their IED [improvised explosi device] making activities and training of recruits,” Petinglay quoted Maj. Gen. Arnel de la Vega, commander of the JTF Central, as saying.
On Monday Air Force planes launched another series of airstrikes against the BIFF as MILF members continued to engage the bandits in the same barangay in Datu Salibo.
“These combat operations are necessary measures taken by the MILF members against terror groups operating in Maguindanao. We laud the liberation front’s leadership for supporting the government’s drive for peace to thrive in Mindanao against terrorism, criminalities and drugs,” Westmincom Commander Lt. General Carlito Galvez Jr. said.
“We hope this call for peace would resonate and encourage more groups, organizations and Filipinos to join the government in combating terrorism and illegal drugs,” he added.
“These combat operations are necessary measures taken by the MILF members against terror groups operating in Maguindanao. We laud the liberation front’s leadership for supporting the government’s drive for peace to thrive in Mindanao against terrorism, criminalities and drugs,” Westmincom Commander Lt. General Carlito Galvez Jr. said.
“We hope this call for peace would resonate and encourage more groups, organizations and Filipinos to join the government in combating terrorism and illegal drugs,” he added.
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