Philippine govt troops kill BIFF terrorist in Mindanao

The slain terrorist was allegedly a member of a non-IS-aligned faction of the terror group.

A Philippine Army troop trains in this photo. The Army and police killed a resisting alleged terrorist in Maguindanao del Sur province Apr 27, 2023. (Philippine Army pic)

MAGUINDANAO DEL SUR: Philippine security forces killed an alleged Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) terror group member in the southern province of Maguindanao del Sur on Thursday (Apr 27), the military said. 

Combined elements of the Army and Philippine National Police (PNP) killed the wanted person identified as Surab Maliga, a.k.a. Morshid Malang/Malang/Bungo, a member of the BIFF-Karialan faction, in Madia village, Datu Saudi Ampatuan municipality, said the Western Mindanao Comman (Westmincom) in a statement on Friday (Apr 28).

Troops of the 6th Infantry Battalion, 2nd Provincial Mobile Force of the PNP, 41st Special Action Company, PNP Special Action Force, Maguindanao Provincial Police Office and Datu Saudi Ampatuan Police conducted the joint operation to arrest Maliga. 

The Joint Task Force Central commander, Maj. Gen. Alex Rillera, said that the operation resulted in the death of Maliga who resisted arrest and the recovery of one caliber .45 pistol.

This handgun has been seized from a slain Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters terror group alleged member in Maguindanao del Sur province Apr 27, 2023. (Westmincom pic)

 The recovered firearm was turned over to the PNP for ballistic examinations while the cadaver of the slain BIFF member was immediately claimed by relatives. 

The Westmincom chief, Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, commended the troops for the successful operation. 

He also urged the remaining members of the different threat groups to listen to the government’s call for peaceful resolution to conflicts.

The Karialan faction has shunned Daesh’s ideology but two other BIFF factions - Abu Turayfie and Bungos - have expressed support for the Middle Eastern terror group.