BIFF's losses prompts them to stage retaliatory attacks

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao -- After heavy losses of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) forces last week that killed their Commander Marrox and eight other militants, the group launched retaliatory attack Sunday in Maguindanao.At around 10 a.m. today, fire fight happened between the elements of 61st Division Reconnaissance Company led by First Lieutenant Ruel Fortuna and at least 30 BIFF headed by Commander Sukarno Sapal in Barangay Malingao, Datu SAudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao.During the clearing operation conducted by the said military troops, they have recovered three hand grenades and a bandollier left by the retreating BIFF combatants.
The Army vowed to continue its intention of eliminating this terror group in order to protect the lives of the civilians and bring back the peace in Maguindanao area.
Almost at the same time this morning, another encounter happened at Barangay Malingao, Shariff Aguak Maguindanao while the command group of 90th Infantry Battalion,led by Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. CrizaldoFernandez composed of two companies led by 1Lt. Acamosa and 1Lt. Villaneuva were fired upon by more than 50 BIFF forces. A firefight ensued that lasted for almost two hours.

The troopers are now moving forward however, hampered by several Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) left by retreating the Daesh-inspired terror group BIFF.The 6th Infantry Division said there are of course significant number of casualties amongst the BIFF group however, up until this moment the number of deaths and wounded are still being verified by the military.
The clashes between the government forces have been intermittent since the start of this month. The Joint Task Force Central troopers are mandated to impose the law and vigorously sustain the pressure in order to isolate the BIFF terrorist groups from the civilian communities,Brigadier General Cirilito Sobejana Jr, 6th ID chief and JTFC commander, saidand We will go after the bandits to safeguard the civilians and put an end to this menace of society. The late Commander Marrox was under the notorious BIFF leader Commander Kagi Karialan who was responsible for the killing of SAF 44.

Marrox was also the suspect on the ambush of 40th IB last year and recent attack in Radjah Buayan. Military intelligence said his group includes convicts who have escaped from the North Cotabato jail break. Western Mindanao Command through the JTF Central will continue to conduct military operations and maximize intelligence monitoring with the assistance of the police, the local government, and the civilians in Central Mindanao, Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, Western Mindanao Command chief, said in a statement.As of this report, pursuit and blockade are being conducted by the ground troops to thwart the extrication of the enemies. Aerial and land assets are also being utilized to track down the fleeing members of the terror group in the immediate vicinity of the encounter site.