Army captures BIFF lair in Maguindanao

DATU PIANG, Maguindanao -- Government forces pursuing Islamic State-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Maguindanao have seized an abandoned lair of the terror group in Barangay Magaslong here.

In a statement released Wednesday, Maj. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, the com- mander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said the hideout was discovered on Tuesday by elements of the Army’s 57th Infantry Bat-

talion and 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion.

“The abandoned lair has running trenches, foxholes and sniper bunkers that can accommodate about 20 persons,” Sobejana said.

Government troopers also recovered one rifle telescope, one antenna, assorted empty shells, wires and nails, one solar panel with battery, one passport, medical supplies, anti-personnel mines components, cellphone, identification cards and assorted documents at the BIFF hideout.

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

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

Since March 11, more than 20 BIFF members had been reported killed during the focused military operations that involved the military’s air and ground assets in Maguindanao’s second district.

The operation also forced some 30,000 individuals from seven affected towns in Maguindanao to seek refuge in nearby safer grounds. The affected towns include Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Mamasapano, Datu Salibo, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Datu Piang, Datu Anggal Midtimbang, and Shariff Aguak. (PNA)