Army captures BIFF camp, recover gun, items in Maguindanao

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao -- The military here has announced the capture of a newly established camp of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Datu Unsay, Maguindanao.
Capt. Joan Petinglay, speaking for the 6th Infantry Division, said the camp was captured following a brief firefight with the military's Scout Rangers at 7 a.m. Wednesday in the villgae of Macalag, Datu Unsay town.

Our Scout Rangers were able to repel the armed group who fled from the area to an unknown direction after a fifteen-minute firefight, Petinglay said.
After scouring the encounter area, an improvised Cal. 7.62 rifle was recovered by the operating troops believed to be left by the fleeing BIFF.
In another area just about a kilometer away, another group of rangers found an abandoned camp with about seven huts that can accommodate an estimated 60 persons.

The huts were already empty when the troops arrived.
Discovered by government forces were four jungle hammocks two pairs battle dress Uniforms one upper PNP SAF uniform with name cloth which reads USMAN” one bandoleer for M14 one bandoleer for M16 and one sweatshirt with the marking BIFF”.
Petinglay said the operation was part of the continuing efforts of the 6th Infantry Division to go after the remnants of the BIFF after the group was displaced from their encampments and most of them killed during the all-out offensive conducted against them more than a month ago. The government forces will not allow the lawless group to establish new encampments that might be a future venue for IED fabrication, Petinglay said. The BIFF was known for manufacturing improvised bombs they used against the military and civilian targets.

Petinglay said the successful operation could be attributed to the concern of civilians who provide tips to the government forces about the lawless elements.
It only manifests that majority if not all the people from Central Mindanao are joining the fight against a common enemy – terrorism, Petinglay said.
Earlier, the Army found and properly defused a powerful improviced bomb components in the village of Katalicanan, Aleosan, North Cotabato.Members of the Army's 32nd Explosive and Ordnance Disposal Team responded to reports by concerned civilians about the presence of suspicious motorcycle parked and unattended at a roadside.
Post blast investigation revealed the following items were found in the IEDand four rounds of cartridge of 60 mm high explosive one support charge for 105 mm mortar, one booster charge of 60 mm detonating cord, steel balls bolt and knots.
However, no triggering device was found in the U-Box of the motorbike.

Police said two men arrived in the village on board a motorbike which encountered mechanical problem. When residents started to mill around and observed the duo, they left towards an unknown direction, raising suspicion among the villagers who alerted the police and the Army.
Petinglay said the Army believed the explosives are to be set off by the BIFF somewhere else but backed off when civilians became curious of their activities.