CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao — Military authorities in Maguindanao and neighboring provinces have been placed on alert status since Sunday after the Islamic State-linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) intensified its attacks against government forces and civilians.
Aside from setting off a motorbike rigged with improvised bombs, the BIFF attacked government forces in the so-called “SPMS box” in the province’s second district.
The SPMS box is a military term for Maguindanao’s four adjoining towns of Shariff Aguak, Pagatin (Datu Saudi), Mamasapano, and Salibo where the outlawed BIFF mainly operates.
Maj. Gen. Diosdado Carreon, commander of the 6th Infantry Division (6ID) and head of Joint Task Force Central (JTFC), has placed all units under his command on alert status to thwart any further attempt at disrupting the prevailing peace and order condition of the province.
On Sunday evening, BIFF attacked the military detachments of the Army’s 57th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Meta, Datu Unsay, Maguindanao, and the detachment of the 38th Infantry Battalion (38IB) in remote Barangay Kalanganan 1, Cotabato City.
“Some 40 rounds of rifle grenades were fired toward the Meta detachment at 7 p.m.,” Carreon said. About two hours later, another band of BIFF fired rifle grenades toward the Kalanganan detachment of the 38IB. No casualties were reported on government troops from both attacks.
Carreon lauded the soldiers for their presence of mind and for not indiscriminately firing at different directions.
“I commend our troops for their vigilance and presence of mind during these attacks. Keep up the good works and let us not give the enemy any chance to harm our fellow soldiers,” Carreon said.
Carreon vowed to “eradicate” terror groups in 6ID’s area of jurisdiction.
“We will hunt them and will not allow them the space to regroup and gain strength,” he said. -PNA
