BIFF Subleader and bomb-making expert neutralized in North Cotabato

By JONG CADION

PAGADIAN CITY (March 31, 2018) - Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters’ subleader and bomb-making expert was neutralized by joint government troops of the 34^th Infantry Battalion and the Aleosan Philippine Nation Police (PNP) during the conduct of joint operation in Brgy. Puypuyan, Aleosan, North Cotabato at 7pm last Thursday (March 29).

Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom) Information Officer Capt. Jo-Ann D. Petinglay disclosed that the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter (BIFF) Subleader Commander Buds Basilan was killed during a brief exchange of gunfire after the subject resisted arrest and engaged the authorities.

Capt Petinglay said BIFF Subleader Commander was listed number 209 in the wanted list under Martial Law Instruction Nr 1 series of 2017 and Nr 120 in the AFP Periodic Status Report.

 “Our Soldiers and policemen had been tracking the person and was about to apprehend him when he shot at the authorities resulting to the encounter,” said Major General Arnel Delavega, commander of the Joint Task Force Central.

 “Basilan who is under the BIFF’s Karialan Faction, was responsible in the manufacture of bombs and IEDs which affected the areas of Aleosan, Midsayap and Carmen of North Cotabato.

His neutralization will definitely weaken his subgroup that is operating mostly in the Province,” MGen Delavega added.

The Joint Task Force Central has intensified security operations against the BIFF and other Terrorist Groups in Central Mindanao especially after the liberation of Marawi City.

“Our security campaign in Central Mindanao is gaining significant headway since the start of the year with already 68 neutralized BIFF members in the first quarter 2018 alone,” said Lieutenant General Carlito G Galvez, Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

“My congratulations to the soldiers of WestMinCom for continuously reaping successes.

The command will step-up its effort towards the end state of defeating all threat groups especially those that are connected with identified terror groups,” the WestMinCom chief added.