AFP seeks mobility assets for Liguasan Marsh in pursuit of BIFF

FILE PHOTO. A drone shot in 2018 shows soldiers on boats navigating a section of Liguasan Marsh in search of gunmen belonging to the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of The Philippines (AFP) on Monday said it is in need of mobility assets, specifically for marshland operations, as it continues to be in “hot pursuit” of the Islamic State-linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

According to AFP Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, members of BIFF have fled towards Liguasan Marsh, a wetlands that has seen a number of battles between government forces and extremist forces, most notably during the Mamasapano clash in 2015 that resulted in the “massacre” of 44 men of the Philippine National Police’s Special Armed Forces, now known as the SAF-44.

“Medyo mahirap po yung terrain doon, sad to note we don’t have enough capability for marshland operations,” said Sobejana.

(The terrain there is a bit difficult, sad to note we don’t have enough capability for marshland operations)

“Ito po yung tinutugunan ko ngayon ma’am in coordination with our major services, lalo na sa Philippine army na makapag-acquire tayo ng mobility assets for Liguasan marsh,” he added.

(This is what I am addressing now in coordination with our major services, especially in the Philippine army so that we can acquire mobility assets for the Liguasan marsh.)

On Saturday, May 8, in the middle of Ramadan, more than 100 gunmen — aged 15 to 25 years old — from the BIFF-occupied Datu Paglas in Maguindanao for six hours.

This led to a gun battle between the said group and the military.

No casualties, however, were reported.

EDV