COTABATO CITY — – At least three (3) extremists from the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF)-Karialan Faction were killed in an armed clash with security forces on June 20, 2021, as troops from Joint Task Force Central continue their campaign to hunt down the said extremist group.
Lt. Col. Benjamin Cadiente, Commanding Officer of 33rd Infantry Battalion (33IB), disclosed that combined forces from the 33IB and 1st Mechanized Battalion clashed with BIFF extremists at Barangay Linantangan, Shariff Saydona Mustafa, Maguindanao during the conduct of clearing patrol at around 5:50 in the morning of June 20, 2021.
He added that the BIFF left the lifeless bodies of 3 extremists during the 35-minute firefight and were later identified by local officials of Barangay Linantangan as Dhen Dhen Haron (alias Kirim), Ali Amil Hasim, and Buhari Bualan; while no casualties were reported on the government forces.
Seized during the firefight are two (2) caliber .45 pistols, one (1) 9mm pistol, two (2) hand grenades, and several rounds of ammunition and numerous war materials according to Col. Pedro Balisi, Commander of the 1st Mechanized Brigade, adding that the troops also recovered one (1) sachet of 8 grams crystalline substance (believed to be shabu) and 1,000 pesos cash.
Major General Juvymax Uy, Commander of JTF Central and 6th Infantry Division, expressed that JTF Central forces will sustain the conduct of military operations against the BIFF to prevent them from attacking communities and town centers.
“Our troops will continuously hunt the remnants of the BIFF and Dawlah Islamiya extremists. At the same time, I also call on the remaining extremists to lay down their arms and return to the folds of the law to enjoy a peaceful life with their families,” Maj. Gen. Uy stressed, adding that the AGILA-HAVEN Program of the Province of Maguindanao is now on its full implementation to address the needs of the extremists who have decided to surrender to the government.-PR
