Military task force launches air strike, ground operations vs Turaife Group in North Cotabato

December 20, 2017

A joint military task force launched air strike and ground operations against the Daesh-inspired terrorist members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) under Esmael Abdulmalik alias Abu Turaife  at Brgy Tunganon, Carmen, North Cotabato  at dawn Tuesday.

The operation was conducted to weed out the terrorist group and to free the communities from the terror menace brought about by the BIFF, a statement from the 6th Infantry Division based in Maguindanao said Wednesday.

President Rodrigo Duterte, in his letter to Congress requesting extension of martial law in Mindanao for one year from January 1 2018 mentioned the Turaife Group's presence. The military had said some remnants of the Islamic State-inspired militants that combined with the Abu Sayyaf to lay siege in Marawi for nearly five months are recruiting members.

Col. Edgard Arevalo, chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines public affairs office, said recently in a  press conference in Malacanang that the recruitment has been "intensifying" and "they have offer of financial remuneration."

Arevalo said the terrorist group has also been using the social media on its recruitment activities.

Congress granted Duterte's request for a one-year extension of martial law in Mindanao last week. The military has yet to say how many have been killed or injured from the enemy side. But the 6th Infantry Division stressed "all safety procedures were undertaken of the well-coordinated, deliberately planned, and specific-target operation."

"The targeted areas are far from the local communities, hence, the operation was conducted with outmost consideration that the civilian populace are far from harm’s way, ensuring their safety and protection," it added.

Ground troops were also deployed to contain the threat group and the fighting in a small area of Barangay Tunganon, the statement added. DMS