BIFF war matériel seized in Maguindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 21, 2022): BIFF war matériel seized in Maguindanao (By Edwin Fernandez)

SEIZED BIFF WEAPONS. The war matériel seized from fleeing Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town, Maguindanao province on Monday (June 20, 2022). The weapons were left behind by the rebels under a certain Commander Banjo, a sub-leader of the BIFF-Karialan faction. (Photo courtesy of 40IB)

Government forces running after Moro extremists in Maguindanao have stumbled upon improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and other war matériel in Maguindanao’s town of Datu Saudi Ampatuan, the Army here said Tuesday.

Lt. Col. Edwin Alburo, the Army’s 40th Infantry Battalion (IB) commander, said government troops seized high-powered firearms and explosives during a focus military operation Monday in Barangay Kitapok, Datu Saudi Ampatuan.

Alburo said the soldiers recovered an M16 rifle, bullets, a 60mm mortar projectile, improvised bombs, bomb-making devices, communication sets, and personal belongings of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

Soldiers were hunting down a certain Commander Banjo, a sub-leader of the BIFF Bungos faction, when they found the war matériel in a lair abandoned by the fleeing extremists.

“We will continue to conduct relentless pursuit against this enemy of the state to thwart them in executing any eventualities that will harm our people,” Alburo said.

Major General Roberto Capulong, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander, said the recovery of the armaments “is vital in our quest for achieving and sustaining peace and tranquility in our area of operations.”

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1177158