One soldier wounded in clash with BIFF in Maguindanao

December 15, 2020

One soldier was wounded in a clash with the members of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Maguindanao on Monday morning.

Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr., chief of the Western Mindanao Command, said the clash between  troops from the 34th Infantry Battalion and the bandits has resulted in the wounding of one soldier and recovery of enemy war materiel.

“The battle casualty was immediately extricated from the area and is now recuperating at Camp Siongco Station Hospital,” he said

Vinluan said the troops were conducting focused operation in Sitio Macabenban, Barangay Indatuan, Northern Kabuntalan, Maguindanao when they encountered around 10 BIFF members under Omar Abdullah, alias OV10, at around 5:30 am.

Army's 34th IB Commanding Officer Glen Loreto Caballero said the firefight that lasted for 45 minutes resulted in the recovery of one caliber .45 pistol, one Barret caliber .50, five rifle grenades, one improvised explosive device, one commercial radio, and one motorized banca engine.

“Our troops are in hot pursuit of the fleeing enemies who brought along their casualties with them,” he said.

Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Roberto Capulong, commander of the Army's 602nd Infantry Brigade said the “battle staff and adjacent units reinforced the engaged troops to establish blocking points in the area”.

Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, commander, Joint Task Central, ensured that the military is on heightened alert to thwart the retaliatory acts of the BIFF in central Mindanao. Robina Asido/DMS