Army seizes BIFF gun factory in Maguindanao

Soldiers check on the firearms seized from a gun factory of the Islamic State-linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) beside the highway in Barangay Midconding, General SK Pendatun, Maguindanao. Photo from 6th ID

PRESIDENT QUIRINO, Sultan Kudarat —  The military here announced today the discovery and seizure of a gun repair shop and factory in General SK Pendatun, Maguindanao while serving an arrest warrant on a  wanted person on Tuesday, June 11.

Major General Cirilito Sobejana, Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander, said the gun factory was found by joint police and military forces in Barangay Madconding of the town while serving warrants against Sukarno Buka, a sub-leader of Islamic State-linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), for attempted murder charges.

But Buka fled before government forces arrived in the village.

The operation was jointly conducted by the 33rd Infantry Battalion and 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Maguindanao.

Lt. Col. Elmer Boongaling, 33rd IB commander, said civilians and village officials have attested that Buka was manufacturing firearms for the BIFF and was involved in illegal drug activities in General SK Pendatun.

“Our community engagement is gaining headway as civilians are now providing vital information to military authorities,” Boongaling said.

He said civilians tipped off the Army about Buka’s presence in the village.

Government forces seized several unfinished firearms, equipment and ammunition.

Colonel Efren Baluyot, 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion, said the discovery of the gun-making facility, firearms and bullets has decimated the BIFF’s fighting capability.

Sobejana lauded the civilians for providing authorities with information of high intelligence value that preempted lawless elements from harming civilians. (Editor: Leti Boniol)