6ID chief commends civilians, MILF for helping foil BIFF plot

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 22): 6ID chief commends civilians, MILF for helping foil BIFF plot

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao -- The military here credited and lauded Wednesday civilians and members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in the neutralization of seven members of the Daesh-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Maguindanao during the past two days.

“Residents of Sultan sa Barongis town and the MILF forces stationed in the area alerted the police about the presences of BIFF and camping in Sitio Kabasalan, Barangay Darampua,” Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander, said.

“The outpouring support from all stakeholders had been overwhelming. Likewise, we are happy that the level of security awareness and vigilance of the civilian populace are becoming high,” Sobejana added.

After the information provided by the civilians and MILF counterpart had been verified and confirmed, the military conducted surgical operation through artillery fire in pinpointed BIFF positions.

“The operation was focused and surgical and no civilian communities have been affected,” Capt. Arvin John Encinas, speaking for the 6th ID, said, referring to the artillery offensive from the Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade.

Seven BIFF members were confirmed killed and an undetermined number were injured during the Monday night and Tuesday morning offensives, Encinas said.

He said the BIFF members slain in Sitio Kabasalan belonged to the Abu Toraife-faction of the BIFF and led by Salahuddin Hassan, also known as “Orak.”  The fatalities were only known through their aliases as Abdullah, an alleged sub-commander, Rasul, Bayan, Hamdan, Abubakar, Tima, and Hairiya.

On August 14, military troopers succeeded in pushing away at least 40 fully-armed men believed to be members of the BIFF-Bungos faction in the marshland of Sitio Bangon, Barangay Simsiman, Pigcawayan, North Cotabato, through the help of the local community.

The group had planned to harass the village of Simsiman but civilians quickly alerted authorities and foiled attempts to harm non-combatants in the village.

For the past several months, the BIFF has considerably lost a significant number of their combatants as most of them have surrendered to authorities while others died during intensive military operations.

Government troops have been persistent in monitoring and flushing out the violent extremist group to keep the peace in Central Mindanao.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1045582