DWDD: LAW ENFORCEMENT | Government forces arrest 4 BIFF members in Maguindanao

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Oct 18): LAW ENFORCEMENT | Government forces arrest 4 BIFF members in Maguindanao

PRESIDENT QUIRINO, Sultan Kudarat (DWDD) – Combined elements of the Philippine security forces nabbed four members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters during a dawn raid in General Salipada K Pendatun, Maguindanao at 5:00am on Wednesday, October 17.

The suspects offered no resistance when heavily armed soldiers and policemen suddenly emerged in their hideouts to serve the arrest warrants against Datu Parido Balabagan a.k.a. Commander Banog of the BIFF 2nd Division. Unfortunately, Commander Banog, along with 8 of his men, was able to escape using a secret passage behind the compound where he was hiding.

Four high-powered firearms were seized including one Cal 7.62mm M14 Rifle, one Cal 30 M1 Garand Rifle, two Rocket-propelled grenade launchers, three MK2 Hand grenades and assorted ammunitions.

Lt Col Harold M Cabunoc, the Commanding Officer of the 33rd Infantry “Makabayan” Battalion, identified the suspects as Ronex Langalen, 47, Anwar Abdullah, 26, Allakbar Sekung, 20, and Renante Milan, 37. They were handed over to CIDG-ARMM chief PSSupt James Gulmatico for the legal cases that would be filed against them.

Colonel Robert Dauz, the Commander of the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade, said that the effort was part of the intensified law enforcement operations against peace spoilers.

“This is the outcome of our all-out effort against armed threats who attempted to attack the police station in Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat a few days ago. I hope that this incident would serve as a stern warning against the group of Commander Banog who have eluded arrest,” said Dauz.

Meanwhile, Major General Cirilito Sobejana has directed the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade to hunt down the remnants of the BIFF in GSKP town.

“You must continuously pursue them so that we can prevent their atrocities against hapless civilians. We will maintain the great teammanship with our brothers in the PNP to synergize our efforts against the enemies of the state,” he said.



Lt Col Harold M Cabunoc, the Commanding Officer of the 33rd Infantry (Makabayan) Battalion, gives his guidance prior to the conduct of joint law enforcement operations against the members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters led by Datu Parido Balabagan a.k.a. Commander Banog early morning today. The combined elements of the PNP-SAF, CIDG-ARMM, 2nd Mechanized Battalion, and the 33rd Infantry Battalion netted four high-powered firearms during the operations



Members of the 33rd Infantry Battalion’s Mortar Section manned the mortars to provide indirect fire support for the operating troops.

  

 

Lt Col Harold M Cabunoc and PSSupt James Gulmatico questioned the suspected BIFF members who were arrested during the raid on Commander Banog’s hideout in Barangay Lumabao, General SK Pendatun, Maguindanao. 33IB CMO / MCAG

http://dwdd.com.ph/2018/10/18/86115/