MANILA, Philippines—Soldiers killed at least two members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and recovered improvised bombs after an assault on the armed group’s lair Tuesday early morning.
Major Dante Gania, Philippine Army 6th Infantry Division Public Affairs Officer, said that the troops recovered the two bodies, a .50 caliber Barret sniper rifle, improvised bombs, artillery munitions, and materials used in bomb-making.
Backed up with a mechanized company, members of the 45th Infantry Battalion took on an undetermined number of BIFF rebels in a “law enforcement operation” in Barangay (village) Libutan at 5:40 a.m. Tuesday, which lasted for more than an hour.
“Based from the recovered items, this is where they manufacture these improvised explosive devices,” Gania said.
Gania said that there is still no ballpark figure on the number of “ready to fire” IED’s that were found on the site, while mortar rounds and 105-millimeter Howitzer rounds were also recovered.
Also, one Toyota Grandia van, which was believed to be stolen, was also recovered.
Gania said that the assault on the armed group was in response to the insurgents’ attacks in Maguindanao over the weekend.
“There were so many atrocities that they did this weekend,” Gania said.
He added that the Army coordinated with the Committee on Ceasefire and Cessation of Hostilities, and the Philippine National Police to conduct the operation.
“It’s not right that we should just sit here and do nothing,” Gania said.
BIFF members attacked security forces’ outposts in Shariff Saydona Mustapha and Datu Piang, and detonated an IED in Datu Saudi Ampatuan leaving three rebels dead and wounding one soldier and civilian from Sunday to Monday.
Gania said that attacks usually increase before the start of Ramadan.
This year’s celebration of Ramadan would start on June 28.
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