Gov’t forces capture another BIFF camp

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

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – Government forces on Tuesday captured another camp belonging to the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town as the military continued its operation.

It was the second encampment recovered in a span of three days by joint Army, Marines and police forces, according to Capt. Jo-Ann Petinglay, the spokesperson of the 6th Infantry Division based here.

Petinglay said the camp, located in Sitio Tatapan in Barangay Kitango fell into the government’s control following Monday’s clash with BIFF forces.

There had been no reported casualty during the clash but government forces recovered firearm parts such as tripods for .50 caliber machineguns, antennas for two-way radios, ammunition for assorted firearms, and documents showing the BIFF’s plan to carry out bombing in public places, passenger buses and populated areas in Central Mindanao.

Petinglay said the camp seized on Monday was about eight kilometers from Barangay Dasikil in Mamasapano town, which government forces had occupied on Sunday.

As this developed, Petinglay said BIFF members have sought refuge with their relatives who belong to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), particularly under the 105th Base Command.

“Majority of them have close relatives there,” Petinglay said, without specifying how the report reached the military.

She said the military was now asking the MILF to isolate its members.

But MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said they had made their own validation and it turned out that there was no truth to the report that BIFF gunmen have sought refuge inside MILF areas.

“We have checked it and it’s not true. It cannot happen because we have repositioned our troops in Maguindanao to give way to the military operation,” he added.

RELATED STORIES

Military fears BIFF may mingle with MILF

Fighting erupts between military, BIFF in Maguindanao