AFP launches air strikes, ground assaults vs. BIFF in Maguindanao
Local News • 22:46 PM Wed Nov 15, 2017
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By:
John Unson
MAGUINDANAO --- Two Army battalions launched before dawn Wednesday an extensive hunt for three notorious commanders of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.
The BIFF uses the black Islamic State flag as its revolutionary banner.
Personnel of the Army’s 40th and 57th Infantry Battalions started their search for wanted BIFF leaders Herodin, Khadza and Lucman at past 3and00 a.m. Wednesday at the border of Maguindanao’s adjoining Shariff Aguak and Datu Unsay towns.The three commanders are henchmen of Imam Bongos, the self-proclaimed figurehead of one of three BIFF factions.
All three BIFF groups are not covered by the government’s current interim ceasefire pact with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
Major Gen. Arnel Dela Vega of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division saidon Wednesday that their intention to neutralize the three senior BIFF leaders is being coordinated with the ceasefire committee of the MILF.
Local officials said the groups of Herodin, Khadzai and Lucman were behind the recent harassments of Army detachments in Maguindanao.
The three BIFF commanders and their followers retreated to a swampy area near the neighboring Salibo and Sharif Saidona towns after sensing that soldiers were advancing towards their positions.
Lt. Col. Gerry Besana, spokesman of the Army-led anti-crime Task Force Central, said Wednesday an artillery unit positioned nearby bombarded first the spots where the three commanders were seen by vigilant villagers to prevent them from attacking the soldiers approaching them from two directions.Another group of BIFF gunmen attempted but failed to stop a convoy of soldiers proceeding to Barangay Timbangan in Shariff Aguak using an improvised explosive device.The convoy carrying members of the 40th IB were to launch an offensive against the three BIFF commanders from Barangay Timbangan.No one from among the soldiers, led by 1Lt. Rhamzy Lego, was hurt in the IED attack.Lego and his men are now scouring the swampy areas at the boundary of Shariff Aguak and Datu Unsay in search of Herodin Khadzai and Lucman.