SEVEN members of the terrorist group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) were killed and a policeman was injured in a joint operation conducted by the military and the police in Datu Paglas town in Maguindanao del Sur last Saturday.
The Zamboanga City-based AFP Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) named two of the slain BIFF members as Nasser Yussef Hussain, alias Tutin Usop; and Nurjihad Husain, alias Datdat Usop.
Citing information from the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, Wesmincom said soldiers and policemen were sent to the residence of the two in Barangay Damawato to serve a search warrant for loose firearms.
The suspects and their BIFF companions opened fire on the approaching troops, injuring a policeman who was brought to a hospital in Tacurong City for treatment.
“Troops fired back, which resulted in the death of the seven BIFF members, including the two subjects of the search warrants,” said Westmincom spokesman Maj. Andrew Linao.
The operation also resulted in the seizure of three cal. 45 pistols, two M16 rifles, an Uzi machine pistol, and assorted ammunition, Westmincom said.
Westmincom commander Lt. Gen. Roy Galido said the military will continue to team up with the police force to curb terrorism in western Mindanao.
“Our troops will continue to work with other law enforcement agencies to quell terrorism and other criminalities. Our collaborative efforts ensure that terrorism and lawlessness have no place in our area of operation,” said Galido.
