Troops recover explosives, war materials

From the Sun Star-Zamboanga (Mar 23, 2019): Troops recover explosives, war materials

Military troops recovered explosives and war materials while pursuing the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Maguindanao, military officials said Saturday, March 23.

Major General Cirilito Sobejana, Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander, said the 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion troops on Wednesday explosives and bomb-making components from a fallen enemy camp in the village of Magaslong, Datu Piang, Maguindanao.

Sobejana said the recovered explosives included anti-personnel mines, composed of rocket-propelled grenade and mortar ammunition and bomb-making components consisting of a kilo black powder, nails, spoke and anti-personnel mines container.

He said joint troops from the Army’s 34th and 57th Infantry Battalions clashed against 10 BIFF members at 12:50 p.m. Thursday in Penditing village, Shariff Saydona Mustapah, Maguindanao.

The military official said the firefight lasted for about 20 minutes after which the BIFF fled to different directions while the troops recovered a Carbine rifle, five anti-personnel mines, four radio antennas and war materials.

“The successful operation is attributed to the community who gave their full support by providing vital information that led to the destruction of a suspected lair of the terrorist group,” Sobejana said.

The Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) continue the combat operations against BIFF and Daesh-inspired members in Maguindanao.

“We will sustain our offensives, penetrating enemy stronghold, to neutralize terrorists and end extremism in Central Mindanao,” said Lieutenant General Arnel Dela Vega, Westmincom chief.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1798264/Zamboanga/Local-News/Troops-recover-explosives-war-materials