Military neutralizes three local terrorists, discovers enemy lair in Maguindanao

Zamboanga City – Military neutralized three members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and discovered an enemy lair in two separate operations in Maguindanao on June 19 and 20, 2021.

In a statement released by Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr., Commander of the Western Mindanao Command, based in Camp Navarro, Calarian this city, said troops of the Joint Task Force Central conducted focus military operations when they encountered more or less 10 BIFF members under Muslimin Amilil, a.k.a. Mus of the 2nd Division of Karialan Faction.

 “Firefight ensued at Sitio Proper, Barangay Linantangan, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao at about 5:52 a.m., Sunday, June 20, 2021, which resulted in the deaths of three BIFF militants,” said Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr.

While clearing the clash site, troops recovered the remains of the slain enemies and war materials including three cal. 45 pistols, two hand grenades, eight grams crystalline substance believed to be “Shabu”, and PhP1, 000.00 cash. Recovered cadavers and materials were brought to 1st Mechanized Battalion headquarters for identification, documentation, and proper disposition.

Meanwhile, in a focused military operation conducted at around 4:30 p.m. Saturday (June 19), an abandoned enemy lair was discovered by operating troops at Sitio Tubak, Barangay Saniag, Ampatuan, Maguindanao.

The lair site is situated in an area along the hillside and is believed to be owned by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF). Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, Commander of Joint Task Force Central said the lair can accommodate at least 80-100 persons.

It has more or less 12 foxholes, three overhead bunkers, eight bunkers, three guard posts, and running trenches. While scouring the area, soldiers recovered one bandoleer, four magazine pouches, one short magazine, one pressurized improvised explosive device, one pair of combat boots, one butane stove, backpack, pants, ICOM antenna, kettle, Quranic book, pail, iron stove stand, solar panel, whiteboard, and suspected IED components. Said items are placed under the custody of the 92nd Infantry Battalion for safekeeping.

Vinluan congratulated the troops of the Joint Task Force Central for these significant accomplishments. “Rest assure that the armed forces will continue to conduct focused military operations to hunt down and pound on the enemies, and recover their strongholds and armaments, troops continue to scour the area.” Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr. added. (Westmincom Press release; with reports by Jong Cadion; Edited by Jun Enriquez, Managing Editor)