Filipino terrorist leader, 11 followers killed in military operations
Terrorists from Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters terror group - Karialan faction.
MAGUINDANAO DEL SUR: The Philippine army said they killed a terrorist faction leader and 11 followers during operations in the southern province of Maguindanao del Sur on Monday (Apr. 22).
The Army in a statement identified the slain Karialan faction leader of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters terror group as Mohiden Animbang @ Karialan.
His brother and the faction’s operations chief, Saga Animbang, was among the 11 followers killed in the military operations at Sitio Pendililang, Kitango village, Datu Saudi Ampatuan district.
Acting on a tip-off from concerned individuals in the community, operating troops of the 1st Brigade Combat Team (1BCT) involving the 1st Scout Ranger Company of the 1st Scout Ranger Battalion and Scout Platoon of CAT 92 and 99 immediately launched a series of military operations against Animbang and his men.
The troops also recovered 12 high-powered firearms, namely one M4-like rifle, five M16A1 rifles, three M14 rifles, two M653 rifles and one yet to be identified.
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“The Army leadership commended the 1BCT troops for their intensified military operations in Maguindanao del Sur,” the army said.
“Moreover, the [6th Infantry Division] leadership also encouraged the remaining [local terror group] members to surrender and return to the fold of law so that it would pave the way for sustained peace and progress in the region.”
The Karialan faction’s spokesman in March threatened more attacks against government forces as it claimed a Mar. 17 ambush that killed four soldiers in Maguindanao del Sur.
The spokesman said Animbang had ordered his followers to stop attacks on government troops as they prepared for Ramadan, but later rescinded that order after the military’s offensive that killed the faction leader’s relatives.
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