Two wounded as MILF stops Daesh-inspired group from consolidating in Maguindao: AFP

August 3, 2017

Two members of Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Force - Moro Islamic Liberation Front (BIAF – MILF) were wounded in an encounter with the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in Maguindanao on Wednesday afternoon. Captain Arvin Encinas, spokesman of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said the clash between the two groups erupted when the MILF leadership repelled the consolidation of Daesh-inspired group in Brgy Pusao, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao. “The coordination and cooperation between the Joint Task Force Central, BIAF, MILF and other stakeholders in the continuing law enforcement support operation of the government against the BIFF resulted to the said firefight,” he said. “The engaged MILF troops belong to the 118th Based Command led by Abdul Karim Sinumagad and 105th Base Command led by Hadjie Ali Omar against the group of Ismael Abdul Malik alias Abu Toraype,” he added. Encinas said the firefight was resulted in the wounding of two MILF fighters identified as Kamsa Karinda and Naim Musiko, both of 118th Base Command. “BIAF who sacrifice their lives against the bandits as they showed their commitment of support in the ongoing peace process with the government,” he said. Encinas said Major General Arnel dela Vega,  commander of the 6th ID, expressed his full support especially to the wounded personnel of BIAF, MILF who needs medical assistance. "We wanted to prevent the BIFF from initiating terroristic actions against peaceful communities," Dela Vega said. Robina Asido/DMS