Bomb-making factory captured in Maguindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 2): Bomb-making factory captured in Maguindanao

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday announced that ground units have successfully captured a Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) improvised bomb-making factory during operations in Mamasapano town, Maguindanao Sunday.

Col. Melquiades Feliciano, 601st Infantry Brigade commander, said the troopers successfully captured the encampment owned by Mohammad Tambako in Barangay Dasikil.

"Our troops successfully seized a bomb-making facility after assaulting the enemy positions (Sunday). The enemy was able to escape but the equipment and materials that are used to fabricate home-made bombs were left behind," he added.

Recovered were improvised explosive components which include mortar fuses, ammonium nitrate, blasting caps and tie wires.

Feliciano said that Basit Usman is currently coddled by small bands of notorious bandits from two different BIFF groups.

Mohammad Ali Tambako of Mamasapano town is one of Usman's current protector.

He is a BIFF leader who had carried out violent atrocities against civilians both in Maguindanao and North Cotabato.

Another one is BIFF leader named Kagi Karialan with at least 100 followers.

He led the attack on MILF communities and civilian communities nearby in Kabasalan and Bulol, both in Pikit, North Cotabato in two separate occasions, displacing at least 25,000 people.

Several tipsters have spotted Usman in the bailiwicks of these cohorts.

Five foreign nationals who are believed to be members of an international terrorist organization, were seen moving with Usman as they evaded their pursuers.

Last March 1, the Army's 6th Infantry Division led by Major Gen. Edmundo Pangilinan facilitated a meeting with different local government officials in order to shed light on the ongoing 'all-out offensive' actions against the BIFF.

Held inside the 6th Infantry Division's Maguindanao headquarters, the meeting participants tackled different issues including the purpose of the ongoing law enforcement operations against the BIFF.

During the meeting, the military officials explained that the government forces are hunting down Basit Usman's group who were sighted in the hinterland villages Shariff Saydona and Mamasapano municipalities.

Government officials also agreed to collaborate on how to protect the civilian population and in providing humanitarian assistance to at least 5,700 affected families who were displaced from their homes.

As of Monday, the AFP has accounted nine members of the BIFF who were killed in the recent law enforcement operations in Maguindanao.

Three soldiers were also wounded in the fighting.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=740412