Seven BIFF terrorists killed in southern Philippine firefight
They were were from the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters terror group.
MAGUINDANAO DEL SUR: Philippine government forces killed seven members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) terror group during a firefight in the southern province of Maguindanao del Sur early Sunday (June 18).
The firefight occurred when the Philippine military and police were conducting a joint law enforcement operation in Damawato village, Datu Paglas municipality, in the wee hours of the day.
Maj. Gen. Alex Rillera, the commander of Joint Task Force Central, in a statement, said the operating troops were implementing search warrants related to firearms and ammunition law violations against a certain Nasser Yussef Hussain a.k.a. Tutin Usop and a Nurjihad Husain a.k.a. Datdat Usop.
When they were approaching the subject’s residence, an undetermined number of the BIFF-Karialan faction members fired upon the government forces, which resulted in the wounding of one policeman.
The troops returned fire, which also resulted in the deaths of the seven BIFF members, including the two subjects of the search warrants.
The operation also resulted in the seizure of six firearms and assorted ammunition, including one Uzi, two M16 rifles, and three cal .45 pistols
The wounded policeman was immediately extracted from the area and brought to a hospital in Tacurong City for medical attention.
Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, the commander of the Western Mindanao Command, in the statement, commended the Joint Task Force Central troops for their significant accomplishment.
“Our troops will continue to work with other law enforcement agencies to quell terrorism and other criminalities. Our collaborative efforts ensure that terrorism and lawlessness have no place in our area of operation,” Galido said.