Soldiers recover 12 bombs after BIFF clashes in Cotabato

December 28, 2019

The government troops recovered a dozen of improvised explosive devices (IED) following clashes with the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Cotabato on Friday, a military official said on Saturday.

Major Arvin Encinas, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Mindanao Command spokesman, said the soldiers of 7th Infantry Battalion encountered the group of Katato Samad under Karialan faction of BIFF at Sitio Blah in Barangay Manaulanan, Pikit at 5:25 am.

“Samad is a bomb maker and (special operation group) SOG battalion commander of the BIFF’s 1st Division,” he said.

“Another five-minute gunfight ensued between 7th IB troops and another group of BIFF terrorists near the engagement area,” he added.

Encinas said the second clash occurred in the area 10 minutes after the first encounter.

Maj. Gen. Diosdado Carreon, Joint Task Force Central commander, said the government troops recovered "the 12 improvised explosives emplaced by said terrorists after series of clashes."

“Military troops currently clear the objectives and block possible withdrawal routes of eluding terrorists,” he said.

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Western Mindanao Command commander, said the government forces deliberately operate to run down and neutralize terrorists behind the series of bomb attacks and ploys in central Mindanao.

“Terrorists are on the run as we mount offensives and close in on rebel fighters,” he said.

“The military sustains these combat operations as preemptive actions against hostile schemes and devices employed by terrorists,” he added. Robina Asido/DMS