A LEADER of the terrorist group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and 16 of his followers men were injured in a military operation in Datu Salibo town in Maguindanao last Monday, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, based in Maguindanao said yesterday.
It also said the fighting claimed the life of another BIFF member, bringing to two the number of terrorists men who perished in the clash.
Officials earlier said troops from the 6th IB launched the operation last Monday after BIFF members “harassed” residents of Sitio Patawali in Barangay Ganta in Datu Salibo.
Soldiers clashed with the BIFF members who retreated from the community. Artillery rounds were also fired and military aircraft conducted bombing runs on the position.
The military initially said a BIFF member, Sadam Salandang, died in the firefight. Also recovered were seven high-powered firearms and other water materiel, including bomb components.
Yesterday, the 6th ID said it has received information from residents that another BIFF member, identified as Abdul Patir, also died in the fighting. Patir’s body has yet to be retrieved by the military.
“Some 17 members (of the BIFF), including their leader Abu Turaife, were injured, they were seen being carried by their comrades,” the 6th ID in a statement, citing the same information from the residents.
Abu Turaife’s real name is Esmael Abdulmalik and carries the other aliases Commander Turaifie and Abu Toraype.
Brig. Gen. Eduardo Gubat, acting commander of both the 6th ID and Joint Task Force Central (JTFC), urged the remaining members of the BIFF “to surrender now as the JTFC will always be relentless in its operations and we will hunt them down until the last terrorist element is prevented from waging violence and intimidation to our peace-loving communities in the province of Maguindanao.”
