The high-powered firearms seized by elements of the 6th Infantry Division after a clash with BIFF members in Maguindanao on Monday morning, April 22, 2024 in Maguindanao. (photo: 6th ID Facebook page)
Soldiers killed a top leader of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters – Karialan Faction (BIFF-KF )and 11 of his men following a fierce gun battle in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town in Maguindanao on Monday, April 22.
Maj. Gen. Alex S. Rillera, commanding general of the 6th Infantry Division, said the clash erupted at 7:30 a.m. after his men chanced upon then group of BIFF-KF chairman Mohiden Animbang in Barangay Kitango.
“Before this encounter, we had been convincing him to surrender but they repeatedly refused,” said Rillera.
Brig. Gen. Jose Vladimir Cagara, commander of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, said that aside from Animbang, also killed was Saga Animbeng, the operations chief of the group and a brother of Mohiden.
He said seized during the clearing operation were 12 high-powered firearms, including M14s and M4.
“We are still in the process of identifying the 10 other fatalities,” said Cagara.
The Monday clash was a follow-up on the March 22 operation that resulted in the death of Abu Halil, the training officer of the BIFF-KF, and Khadafi Abdulatif, the chief of staff of the group.
The BIFF has been a security headache of the military in Maguindanao in nearby areas due to its series of attacks not only on the military but also in various communities.
The BIFF is a breakaway group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. It parted ways with the MILF after the latter began negotiating with the government for a peace agreement.