TAGUM CITY—The military claimed that a leader of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter was reportedly killed during Sunday’s clash in Maguindanao.
Sources say that the top BIFF leader was identified as Usop Abehsalih alias Commander Bisaya who was killed by government troops.
On Monday, Captain Jo-Ann Petinglay, public affairs chief of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said that Abehsalih was among the 16 people who were killed including four army soldiers in the series of firefight against the BIFF.
Petinglay said the first firefight broke out between the Scout Ranger companies and the BIFF sub leader alias Bungos at Brgy Malangog, Datu Unsay town at around 9:30 am.
The military claims that the BIFF camp was captured by the elements of the Scout Ranger after an hour of intense gun battle.
At around 9:50 am, Petinglay said, army troopers of the 34th Infantry Battalion encountered a small group of the BIFF led by Commander Bisaya in Brgy Pamalian, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao.
Both towns of Datu Unsay and Shariff Saydona were known lair of the BIFF.
“Military reinforcements successfully outmaneuvered the bandits, killing Commander Bisaya and two more companions who were said to be close relatives of another BIFF Commander Karialan. 12 other bandits were also wounded in the hour-long firefight,” Petinglay said.
6th ID’s Major General Edmundo R Pangilinan immediately ordered the troops to continue pursuing the BIFF.
“Let us not allow the bandits a chance to regroup and reorganize so that they cannot continue conducting terror activities in the communities” he said.
Meanwhile, in a television interview, Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Gregorio Catapang announced today that it will end the all-out offensives against the BIFF effective Monday. (davaotoday.com)
