Pro-IS leader, 11 others killed in clashes
ZAMBOANGA CITY: Philippine soldiers killed a dozen members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), including the leader of the pro-Islamic State extremist group, in fierce clashes that left seven infantry men wounded in the restive southern region of Mindanao, officials announced Tuesday, April 23.
Officials said troops mounted an operation after tracking down the BIFF group Monday in Barangay Kitango, Datu Saudi Ampatuan town, Maguindanao del Sur.
The assault sparked a gun battle that eventually killed Mohiden Animbang, also known as Kagui Karialan, and his brother Saga Animbang, the group’s operation chief.
This was confirmed by Lt. Col. Dennis Almorato, spokesman of the 6th Infantry Division, on Tuesday. He said troops also recovered the remains and weapons of the slain terrorists.
Almorato said intelligence information provided by civilians played a key role in the successful operation against the BIFF.
The operation against the remaining BIFF members continues in the Muslim province, a stronghold of the former rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front whose leader Ahod Ebrahim is the chief minister of the Muslim autonomous region.
Ebrahim has not released any statement on the death of the BIFF leader, who was blamed by authorities for the spate of terror attacks in Mindanao.
Most of the BIFF members were former MILF fighters who broke away after the Ebrahim’s secessionist group signed a peace deal with Manila in 2014.
The BIFF aligned itself with other extremist groups such as the Maute, Abu Sayaff and Dawlah Islamiya and pledged their loyalty to the Islamic State and vow to establish a caliphate in Mindanao.