Army foils attempt to ambush govt forces in Maguindanao

CAMP
SIONGCO, Maguindanao -- The Army here has foiled attempts
by suspected Bangsamoro Moro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) to get
back at government troops when the soldiers engaged them in a 20 minute
firefight, the Army said Tuesday.Capt.
Joanne Petinglay, 6th Infantry Division spokesperson, said elements of
the 1st Mechanized Brigade were conducting regular security patrol along
the national highway in Barangay Mapayag, Datu Anggal Midtimbang,
Maguindanao when fired upon by about 10 BIFF bandits at about 6 a.m.Petinglay
said the soldiers returned fire, triggering a 30 minute running
gun battle as the BIFF scamper to flee deep into the mountains.She said the soldiers recovered from what appeared to be a bunker in Barangay Mapayag assorted firearms left by fleeing bandits.Among
those recovered were two M-16 Armalite rifles, one homemade shotgun,
one homemade rocket propelled grenade with one ammunition, one cal. 45
pistol, one homemade Ingram 9mm pistol, assorted ammunition, bandoliers,
fatigue uniforms with BIFF patches and suspected drug paraphernalia.Petinglay
said the Army's 6th ID is continuously and actively conducting security
operations in its area of operation to preempt armed lawless elements
(BIFF) from launching atrocities against military personnel and civilian
communities. The
command will exert all efforts to disrupt the plans of the group that might
threaten the security situation and bring fear to the populace,
Petinglay said in a statement.