Gov’t troops recover bodies of 6 BIFF gunmen in Maguindanao

Maguindanao province in Mindanao (Image from Google Maps)

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao — Government troops on Sunday recovered the bodies of six Islamic State-inspired gunmen following clashes on the Datu Unsay town portion of Mount Firis, the military said.

“The remains of slain terrorists were recovered by government forces and turned over to local officials for immediate burial rites,” Maj. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, commander of the 6th Infantry Division, said.

Dela Vega said the six slain gunmen were among 80 members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) who harassed elements of the 64th Reconnaisance Company in Barangay Matumaig in Datu Unsay around 7 p.m. Saturday.

The village is on Mount Firis, where off and on clashes had sent over 2,000 Teduray lumads fleeing to safer areas since last month.

Dela Vega said the harassment prompted the military to launch air strikes and artillery offensives against the armed men, led by Esmail Abubakar alias Commander Bungos. The air strikes, he said, lasted until about 3 a.m. Sunday.

Dela Vega said a soldier was killed during the BIFF attack on the position of the 64th Reconnaisance Company.

Capt. Arvin John Encinas, speaking for the 6th ID, said troops on the ground monitored aq radio conversation between BIFF gunmen, indicating that they suffered more casualties.

“We will sustain our focused military operation that gained substantial results,” Dela Vega added. /atm