3 BIFF members killed in Maguindanao clashes — Army

Infantrymen recover pistols, bullets, sling bags, and cash from slain Moro extremists following skirmishes in Maguindanao Sunday, June 20. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO (From the 6th ID)

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao — The military here announced the death of three members of an extremist Moro group linked to the terrorist Islamic State (IS) and the injury of four others in a series of clashes with government troops before dawn on Sunday in Shariff Mustafa town.

Government forces were on their way to a remote village in Shariff Saydona Mustapha to verify the presence of IS-linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) when they were ambushed, triggering a brief firefight at past 5 a.m. in the area.

Major Gen. Juvymax Uy, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said the gunmen were under BIFF subleader Muslimin Amelil who is wanted for his alleged involvement in drug trafficking and cattle rustling.

Soldiers under Joint Task Force Central (JTFC) found at the ambush site the bodies of the slain BIFF and their firearms, including sling bags that also contained sachets of suspected shabu (crystal meth).

No casualty was reported on the government side.

The Army lauded the residents of Barangay Linantangan, Shariff Saydona Mustapha town for informing the nearest military outpost about the presence of the BIFF.

On Saturday, JTFC ground troops found in Barangay Saniag of Ampatuan town, Maguindanao an abandoned BIFF mini camp that had foxholes and makeshift shelters that could house more than 20 people. Barangay Saniag has been the scene of previous skirmishes between government forces and the BIFF.

/MUF