BIFF-owned bomb-making facility in Maguindanao captured by the military

Members of the breakaway Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF). AFP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The military has captured a bomb factory owned by a Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter (BIFF) leader believed to be coddling Basit Usman in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

“Our troops successfully seized a bomb-making facility after assaulting the enemy positions yesterday (Sunday). The enemy was able to escape but the equipment and materials that are used to fabricate home-made bombs were left behind,” Col. Melquiades Felicano, commander of the Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade, said on Monday.

The soldiers captured an encampment owned by a certain Mohammad Tambako in Brgy. Daskil, an alleged coddler of bomb maker Usman.

Usman escaped a police arrest that targeted international terrorist Zulkfli bin Hir alias Marwan last January.

Some of the vital items recovered were mortar fuses, ammonium nitrate, blasting caps and wires.

The BIFF leader had carried out violent atrocities against civilians both in Maguindanao and North Cotabato, the military said.

Another coddler of Usman was identified as Kagi Karialan and has at least 100 members. He reportedly led the attacks against Moro Islamic Liberation Front communities and civilian areas nearby Kabasalan and Bulol both in Pikit, North Cotabato in two separate incidents.

Usman sighted

The military and police are currently doing an “all-out offensive” against the BIFF.

In a meeting between the military and local government officials in Maguindanao on Sunday, Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander Major General Edmundo Pangilinan explained that the security forces are also hunting down Usman’s group who were sighted in the villages of Shariff Saydona and Mamasapano.

Tipsters have spotted Usman in the areas of the BIFF leaders, the military said. Five foreign nations who are believed to be a members of an international terrorist organization were seen moving with Usman.

The recent offensives have killed nine members of the BIFF and wounded three soldiers, the military said.