Gov’t forces raid firearms factory of BIFF in Maguindanao

May 30, 2018

Government forces recovered high powered firearms and other war materiel after storming a factory of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Maguindanao on Wednesday.

Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, commanding officer of the Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion, said military and police forces targeted the factory of the bandits during an operation at the vicinity of Brgy. Tonggol, Gen. Salipada Pendatun town around 5 am.

“We specifically targeted the firearms manufacturing capability of the BIFF. It is part of our ongoing efforts in degrading their firepower as we pressure them to surrender,” said Cabunoc.

“Synchronizing different capabilities, the operation was participated in by different units of the Army such as the 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion and the 7th Field Artillery Battalion,” he said.

“To keep our winning edge against a highly adaptive enemy in a complex environment, we employed different capabilities to maximize combined arms effects. The synergized effort enables the police commandos to serve warrants against the suspects,” he added.

Cabunoc said government forces “seized a gunsmithing machine, two rocket propelled grenade launchers, a cal .45 M1911 pistol, a 12-gauge shotgun, rifle grenades, unfinished home-made guns, and assorted ammunition” during the operation.

He added government forces initially held 15 people for questioning but they were later released to the local government officials.

Superintendent Darwin Padla, battalion commander of the 4th Special Action Battalion, artillery support by the military made them confident to execute the mission.

“Protected by the artillery assets, police commandos executed the raid on the specific houses that are identified by informants. The suspects fled in disarray, leaving behind some weapons and war materiel,” he added. Robina Asido/DMS