By Francis Wakefield
Troops of the Army's 601st Infantry Brigade through the 57th Infantry Battalion and 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion gained another significant accomplishment in separate areas as part of its continuing combat clearing operation against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and the Daesh Inspired terrorist group in Maguindanao on Wednesday and Thursday (March 20 and 21, 2019), respectively.
(6th Infantry Division / MANILA BULLETIN)
Troops of the 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion while scouring the discovered enemy encampment in Brgy. Magaslong, Datu Piang recovered another set of anti-personnel mine components composed of four RPG ammunitions, two 60mm mortar ammunitions, about 1 kilo black powder, one anti-personnel mine plastic container, assorted nails and spokes used as bomb shrapnel.
It was recalled that said encampment was discovered last March 19 by the said unit.
Accordingly, the enemy encampment is possibly a bomb factory of the BIFF.
Meanwhile, troops of the 37th Infantry Battalion attached to the operational control of the 57th Infantry Battalion while conducting combat clearing operation in Brgy Penditin, town of Shariff Saydona Mustapha on March 21, 2019 discovered four radio antennas and three anti-personnel mines in the ceiling of an abandoned house.
On the other hand, combined troops of the 34th Infantry Battalion and 57th Infantry Battalion, while conducting combat clearing operation in Brgy Penditin, Shariff Saydona Mustapha encountered more or less 10 BIFF terrorist militias on March 21, 2019 at around 12:50 in the afternoon. A firefight ensued and lasted for about 20 minutes.
Said firefight resulted to the recovery of one M2 Carbine, assorted war materials, two anti-personnel mines, and personal belongings of the terrorist group militias.
“The successful operation is attributed to the community who gave their full support by providing vital information that leads to the destruction of suspected lairs of the terrorist group,” Major General Cirilito E. Sobejana, the 6th Infantry Kampilan Division Commander said.