Posted to Kalinaw News (Mar 24, 2021): Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and Dawlah-Islamia casualties rises as series of skirmishes erupts in Maguindanao
CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – More than a dozen terrorists belonging to Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and Dawlah-Islamiya (DI) has been killed after series of clashes against Joint Task Force Central (JTF Central) forces in several areas of Maguindanao Province.
Local government officials of Barangay Kitango town of Datu Saudi Ampatuan reported incidents of mass evacuations from the said locality after the presence of armed men, believed to members of BIFF-Karialan Faction and DI-Turaife Group, threatens to attack the community and the Joint Peace and Security Team (JPST) outpost that is jointly manned by personnel from the MILF, Philippine Army, and the Philippine National Police.
Armed encounters erupted between government forces coming from the 1st Mechanized Brigade and combined elements of BIFF and DI on March 17, 2021. As a result of four days of fighting, 14 violent extremists were killed and 25 were wounded, while three soldiers were reported to be slightly wounded. Troops on the ground also seized from the terrorist groups seven Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), two firearms, dozens of uniforms, and war materials.
The Ministry of Social Services and Development of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao and the Provincial Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Office of Maguindanao recorded about 5,700 families were affected by the armed clashes.
In the nearby town of Shariff Aguak, another member of the BIFF was killed after security forces thwarted plans of said group to attack a military outpost in Barangay Labu-labu of said town on the evening of March 22, 2021.
The fierce firefight lasted for 45 minutes forcing the BIFF to withdraw after government reinforcements arrived, leaving behind the lifeless body of one of their member, one .45 caliber pistol, a rifle grenade, and other war materials.
In another armed clash in Barangay Ahan town of Guindulungan, government troops from the 57th Infantry Battalion encountered armed members of the BIFF-Bungos Faction on March 23, 2021.
Civilian residents of the said locality reported the presence of armed men which prompted government forces to chance on the said terrorist group.
The armed clash resulted in one terrorist killed and the recovery of one shotgun, military uniforms, and several materials used in making improvised explosive devices.
“We appreciate the cooperation of the civilians and the local government units in reporting the presence of said local terrorist groups. With their help we can effectively address the threat of these violent extremist groups,” said Col. Pedro Balisi, Brigade Commander of 1st Mechanized Brigade.
It can be recalled that through the AGILA-HAVEN Program of the Province of Maguindanao and DIWATA-HAVEN of North Cotabato, 36 members of BIFF and DI already surrendered to the government since January of this year.
Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, Commander of JTF Central and 6th Infantry Division, expressed that “we are sustaining our intensified military operation to destroy the remnants of this group and make the province of Maguindanao and North Cotabato free from terrorists. At the same, we also offer them a peaceful means of laying down their firearms, return to the folds of the law, and live a peaceful life with their families.”
[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]
https://www.kalinawnews.com/bangsamoro-islamic-freedom-fighters-and-dawlah-islamia-casualties-rises-as-series-of-skirmishes-erupts-in-maguindanao/
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