45 BIFF members killed since June 1: Military

From Malaysia Business Insight (Jul 9): 45 BIFF members killed since June 1: Military

FORTY-FIVE members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters have been killed in the renewed military campaign against the Daesh-inspired group in Central Mindanao since June 1.

The continuing campaign against the BIFF was launched five days after Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana assumed command of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division based in Maguindanao on May 26.

“After my assumption, we had five days of mission planning, after which we launched the operation June 1. We’ve been conducting the operation for a month and eight days already,” said Sobejana.

Sobejana said 45 BIFF men died, 28 were reported injured, and three others were captured “in the sustained operations that we are conducting.” He said there were at least 10 major armed encounters with the group during the period.

He said the operation also resulted in the recovery of 28 assorted firearms and 10 improvised explosive devices, destruction of an IED factory and firearm manufacturing facility, and capture of four camps. 

On the military side, Sobejana said four soldiers were killed, 20 others were injured, three of them hit by an IED that exploded while the soldiers were maneuvering.

“For as long as they (BIFF) still exist I will not stop, we’re going to continue with our operations....In due time, we hope to put an end to this group,” said Sobejana, adding they are not setting a timeline.

“I don’t want to set a timeline because it will just result to hasty decisions. I want it done deliberately, without collateral damage. We’re exerting our best. In due time (we will end BIFF) but we don’t need a timeline,” he said.

Sobejana said he is utilizing all available military resources to defeat the BIFF, which he said is composed of around 300 to 400 members, mostly former members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

The BIFF was established in 2010 by former MILF commander Ameril Umbra Kato who died of heart attack five years later. The group later pledged allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

“We are doing our best effort to put a rapid conclusion, immediate conclusion to this problem because the more (we) prolong it, the more we prolong the agony of the civilians,” Sobejana said.

http://malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/45-biff-members-killed-june-1-military