Notorious BIFF bomber neutralized, IED components and firearms seized in Maguindanao

By Jong Cadion

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (May 23, 2017) - A notorious leader and bomber of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters was killed, while several firearms and war materiel were seized in the series of the joint operations launched by the military and police in Sultan Kudarat early Monday (May 22), military official said.

Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) Information Officer Cpt Jo-Ann D. Petinglay disclosed that at 1am yesterday, joint elements of the 603rd Brigade, composed of troops from the 5th Special Forces Battalion and the 19th Infantry Battalion, and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao conducted joint operations at the ARMM housing project, yielding to the death of a BIFF bomb instructor, identified as Murad Ali, in Barangay Capiton, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

Said operation was conducted by virtue of the search warrants issued for violation of Republic Act No. 9516 and Republic Act No. 10591.

Further recovered were a 60MM HE mortars round; a fragmentation grenade; an INGRAM; and suspected components of an Improvised Explosive Device, composed of seven pieces of nine-volt battery, 16 blasting caps, nine battery connectors, four sets of cutting tools, four cellular phones, a radio, a detonating cord, a GPS, and a laptop.

Cpt. Petinglay said that the recovered items were brought to the headquarters of the CIDG-ARMM for documentation and proper disposition, while the remains of Ali were turned over to his relatives after proper procedures were made by the SOCO team.

“This recent operational accomplishment will seriously degrade the BIFF, which propagates terrorism by conducting bombing activities in Central Mindanao,” said Lieutenant General Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., Commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

"Ali was a notorious bomb instructor and a protégée of the late Basit Usman. Just like Usman, he was an expert bomb trainer of newly recruited BIFF members," he added.

Meanwhile, at 5am Monday (May 22), operating troops of the 603rd Brigade, composed of the 37th Infantry Battalion, 5th Special Forces Battalion, and combined elements of the PNP RPSB and PDEA-ARMM conducted a law enforcement operation by virtue of the search warrants issued for violation of Republic Act No. 10591 and Republic Act No. 9165 in Barangay Katuli, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, Cpt. Petinglay added.

Cpt. Petinglay further disclosed that the said operation resulted in the arrest of several target personalities, who were initially brought to the headquarters of the PDEA-ARMM for documentation and legal procedures.

Further seized were quantities of illegal drugs, an M16 rifle, a Bushmaster rifle, a Thompson submachine gun, and a Beretta 9mm pistol.

 "Joint Task Force Central led by Major General ArnelDelavega is actively partnering with the other agencies in support to the conduct of law enforcement operations," says LtGen. Galvez.

"It is expected that more of these successes will be reaped due to the growing awareness of the community and the renewed vigor to combat terrorism and lawlessness," he added.