Military vs BIFF: 21 killed, scores wounded

At least 47 Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) have been neutralized early this week in offensives that lasted four days in some parts of Central Mindanao, an area military unit commander confirmed yesterday.

Reports from Joint Task Force Central (JTFC) and 6th Infantry Division chief commander Brig. Gen. Arnel dela Vega indicated that from the total casualty figure among the rebels, 21 militants were killed while 26 others were wounded in the series of air strikes and ground combat operations. Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief Maj. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. said the offensive mission “delivered a crippling blow” against the foreign and local terrorists holed up in Barangay Tee, Datu Salibo, Maguindanao province, while it brought no casualty on the government side.

The offensives, which started last Monday, also yielded five improvised explosive devices ( IEDs) and several components, according to Galvez.

The IEDs included four pressure-type and a command detonated; the components were halfkilo flash powder, oneinch concrete nail, tin can pressure- type, stranded wire, 9-volt battery, Christmas day battery, one power flash battery, a dry cell battery, a plastic case, a radio frequency receiver, and four improvised circuit light, which were turned over to the explosive ordnance disposal.

Galvez said the offensives aimed to hit the group of Muhammad Ali Bin Abdulrahman alias Muawiyah, a foreign terrorist; Salahuddin Hassan, a local terrorist who was trained as bomber by the former; and Esmael Abdulmalik, alias Abu Toraype, founder of Dawlah Islamiyah Maguindanao ( DIM) and BIFF brigade commander.

Intelligence validations made on the ground, he added, yielded persistent reports that the terrorists were among those killed in the massive air and ground operations.

Ga lv e z said De l a Vega also employed the blocking forces that prevented the militants from escaping massive attacks and possible reinforcement.