Soldiers discover BIFF camp in Maguindanao

March 21, 2019

Soldiers discovered a camp of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Maguindanao last Tuesday, a military spokesman said Thursday.

Col. Gerry Besana of the Western Mindanao Command said soldiers from 57th Infantry Battalion were conducting clearing operation when they discovered “an enemy camp with running trenches, foxholes, and sniper bunkers in Barangay Magaslong, Datu Piang”.

“(The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter) BIFF camp can accommodate more or less 20 persons,” he said.

“Upon scouring the area, troops recovered components of anti-personnel mines, a rifle scope, empty shells, wires and nails, medical supplies, and documents,” he added.

Major General Cirilito Sobejana, Joint Task Force Central commander, stressed the significance of the discovery of the bandits camp on the continued operation against the BIFF.

“This is not a victory announcement but a significant progress in the fight against the BIFF and the Daesh-inspired group,” said Sobejana.

“We do not want to give them the opportunity to gather and to create fear in the community, but we will sustain our focused military operation to end this amuck in the society,” he added.

Lieutenant General Arnel Dela Vega, head of the Western Mindanao Command, said ground units of the Philippine Army have intensified their combat and intelligence operations in Central Mindanao.

“Soldiers will carry out their mission of protecting the people and of securing the area of operations against all threats that impede stability and economic progress in Mindanao,” he said. Robina Asido/DMS