9 more BIFF men killed in Maguindanao air strikes

A Bangsamoro militant in training (Wikipedia photo)

MANILA — Air assets of Joint Task Force Central have killed another nine Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and wounded two during a series of missions in Sitio Lipao, Barangay Palanaken, Datu Piang town, Maguindanao Thursday night.

This took place around 6 p.m., Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Joselito Kakilala said Friday.

He added that the air strikes were conducted by four MG-520 “Defender” attack helicopters after concerned civilians reported the presence of 50 armed BIFF members in the area.

The group was reportedly headed by one “Cmdr Torex Tasil”, Kakilala said.

The AFP spokesperson said that the MG-520s conducted three sorties against the BIFF and this resulted in the killing of nine and wounding of two as reported by military intelligence.

With this development, the number of BIFF dead is now placed at 125 with another 65 wounded.

The offensive against the group started last Feb. 25.

Kakilala said that the continuation of the air and ground offensives against the BIFF will be determined by 6th Infantry Division commander Major Gen. Edmundo Pangilinan, the incumbent head of Joint Task Force Central.