An encounter between the military and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters resulted in the wounding of one soldier and the recovery of enemy war materials on the morning of December 14, 2020, the WestMinCom Commander said.
“The battle casualty was immediately extricated from the area and is now recuperating at Camp Siongco Station Hospital,” said Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr, Commander of the Western Mindanao Command.
Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr. further stated that the troops from the 34th Infantry Battalion were conducting a focused operation in Sitio Macabenban, Barangay Indatuan, Northern Kabuntalan, Maguindanao when they encountered more or less 10 BIFF members under Omar Abdullah, a.k.a. OV10, at around 5:30 in the morning.
A firefight ensued which lasted for 45 minutes after which the enemies scampered in different directions.
34IB Commanding Officer Glen Loreto Caballero said that while the operating troops were scouring the encounter site, they recovered one caliber .45 pistol, one Barret caliber .50, five rifle grenades, one improvised explosive device, one commercial radio, and one motorized Banca engine.
“Our troops are in hot pursuit of the fleeing enemies who brought along their casualties with them,” said Lt. Col. Caballero.
Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Roberto Capulong, Commander of the 602nd Infantry Brigade said “Battle staff and adjacent units reinforced the engaged troops to establish blocking points in the area”.
Likewise, Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, Commander, Joint Task Central ensured that the military is on heightened alert to thwart the retaliatory acts of the BIFF in central Mindanao.
(Source: Western Mindanao Command Facebook Page)