MILF foils terrorist attack in Maguindanao

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao: Members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) early this week engaged members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in prolonged clashes after a faction of the BIFF, a local supporter of the Islamic State (IS), tried to enter Shariff Saydona Mustapha town here.

Sources said the terrorists the 118th Base Command of the were on their way to attack a terrorist group. Philippine Army unit when He said the military has prothey were blocked by the MILF vided medical assistance to the members in the village of Pusao wounded MILF members “who on Tuesday afternoon. sacrifice their lives against the

The clashes ended on Wednesbandits as they showed their day morning and left at least two commitment of support in the wounded on the MILF side and ongoing peace process with six reported killed among the the government.” BIFF extremists. The gunmen were led by Esmail

Arvin Encinas, spokesman for Abdulmalik alias Abu Turaify, a the Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry senior member who had bolted the BIFF, with several others including Basir Ungab alias Abu Bagdad, Abfighters as Kamsa Karinda and dulnasser Adil alias Abu Tahir, AnNaim Musiko, both belonging to sari Yunos and Salahuddin Hassan.

They engaged the MILF troops headed by Abdul Karim Sinumagad and Hadjie Ali Omar of the 105th Base Command.

Encinas said the MILF apparently had been tipped off on the entry of the terrorists.

“The Army has provided artil - emy,” he told TheManilaTimes.

“Coordination and cooperation between the Joint Task Force Central, Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces [BIAF], MILF and other stakeholders in the continuing law enforcement support operation of the government against the BIFF resulted in the

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, the Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander, expressed full support to the wounded personnel of BIAF, an armed wing of the MILF, who needed medical assistance.

Three years ago, the BIFF pledged allegiance to the IS after being convinced by the Khilafah Islamiyah Movement (KIM) to do so but the group has since split into three factions including Abdulmalik’s group, which kept its loyalty to the Islamic State.

Another faction led by Ismael Abubakar alias Bungos, together with their recognized spokesman Abu Misry Mama, and the forces of Muhidden Animbang alias Karialan with his spokesman Abu Amer, claimed last year to have severed allegiance to the IS.

The BIFF, an offshoot of the MILF, was organized in 2008.

It opposes the ongoing peace process between the MILF and the government.

Last June, the group attacked two villages in Pigcawayan town in North Cotabato including schools and churches that are owned up by the Abubakar faction.

Just this week, the bandits also attacked a helicopter carrying Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu and his brother while the province but no one was hurt.

Local residents blamed the faction of Abdulmalik for the attack.