Army troops seize BIFM camp in Maguindanao

MANILA, Philippines – Another encampment of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement was seized by Army Scout Rangers in Maguindanao Saturday morning, the Philippine Army said.

Army spokesman Major Harold Cabunoc said the encampment, which was located in the southern part of Camp Omar complex in Datu Hoffer, was seized at about 6:30a.m.

“The encampment can accommodate 100 people and it has 10 bunkers with overhead protection. Several war materials and personal belongings were left behind by the rebels who hastily fled with numerous casualties when the artillery bombardments began,” said Lieutenant Colonel Ignatius Patrimonio of the 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion, who led the operations.

Cabunoc said remnants of the BIFM have splintered into smaller groups to evade pursuit operations by the military.

Additional soldiers were deployed in strategic locations to thwart any attempts of BIFM leader Ustadz Ameril Umbra Kato to conduct more atrocities against hapless civilians, he also said.