Troops destroy BIFF lair in Maguindanao

From the Sun Star-Zamboanga (Feb 3, 2019): Troops destroy BIFF lair in Maguindanao

EIGHT Daesh-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) were killed while 10 others were reported wounded when government forces have destroyed a BIFF lair in Maguindanao, the military reported on Sunday, February 3.

Colonel Gerry Besana, Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) information officer, said the destroyed BIFF lair was located at Sitio Tatak in the village of Tugal, Sultan Sa Barongis, Maguindanao.
Besana said the BIFF lair was destroyed when the Joint Task Force Central (JTFC) launched surgical air, artillery and ground operations starting 6 a.m. Saturday after they identified and confirmed targets against the DAESH inspired terrorist group under Salahudin Hassan.

Besana said the destroyed BIFF lair has 20 bunkers and foxholes.

Five of the eight slain BIFF followers were identified only as the following: a certain Hashim; Abo Salik; Abo Tutin; Saidin Kusain; and, Guabar Sulaiman.
Besana said that 10 others were wounded, including Hassan, based on “human intelligence” report.

Major General Cirilito Sobejana, JTFC commander, said the successful operation is a result of positive information and support provided by the former members of BIFF who surrendered to his command.

“We ease the fear of our people and assure them that safety procedures were undertaken and deliberately planned by JTFC giving due concern to the safety of the civilian populace,” Sobejana said.

“Appropriate coordination was also made with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front-Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities and the targeted areas were confined to locations far from the local communities,” Sobejana said.

“I am very determined to defeat these threat groups and prevent them from doing terroristic activities to bring about peace in Central Mindanao,” he added.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1785890/Zamboanga/Local-News/Troops-destroy-BIFF-lair-in-Maguindanao