Soldiers seize seven firearms of the BIFF in North Cotabato

By Jong Cadion

ZAMBOANGA CITY (February 24, 2018) - In a law enforcement support operation launched by the 34th Infantry Battalion of the Joint Task Force Central, firearms belonging to the BIFF were seized by soldiers and policemen at 6am, Saturday (February 24) in Brgy Nabalawag, Midsayap, North Cotabato, military official said.

“We were moving toward a reported lair of the BIFF when we noticed two men ran in the back portion of the house towards the river,” said LtC Angelo Lutera. “Our soldiers were able to catch up and saw that the two persons are about to board a motorized banca and upon further search, found the HPFAs and materiel.”

Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) Cpt Jo-Ann D. Petinglay said that seized were three (3) cal. 30 Garand rifles; one (1) M16 rifle; two (2) 7.62mm M14 rifle; one (1) 50 calBarret (HM); and various magazines and ammunitions.

“Together with the recovered war materiel were four Identification Cards belonging to a certain Tong Asilon Salem and several upper military uniforms,” said Lieutenant General ArnelDelavega, Commander of the Joint Task Force Central.

“Asilan is a known sub leader under the BIFF Karialan faction,” added Mgen Delavega. “We strongly believe that the seized items, belong to the said subgroup given the fact that four of Asilan’s IDs were also seen in the area.

As of this report, one of the two suspected BIFF members are with the security forces undergoing debriefing while troops are in the immediate vicinity conducting pursuit operations, Cpt Petinglay added.

“My commendations to the soldiers and policemen of Central Mindanao for this recent accomplishment,” said Lieutenant General Carlito G Galvez, Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

 “With the help of the community and other stakeholders, surely we will be able to defeat all these remnants of the terrorists group in order to allow progress and development to come into the communities.”