DATU ODIN SINSUAT, Maguindanao — The Philippine Army reported on Tuesday that state troops overrun a shanty in the middle of the marshland where extremist Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters are believed to be manufacturing improvised bombs.
Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade chief Col. Oriel Pangcog disclosed that terrorist materials and documents were found Monday inside a shack with bloodstains in Barangay Inaladan, Shariff Saydona Mustapha in Maguindanao.
Pangcog said the bloodstain was an indication that BIFF groups operating in the area sustained injuries in the clearing operation that started Friday last week.
“The prolonged operation also led to the recovery of improvised bombs and components in bomb-making,” said Pangcog, adding that soldiers also found documents indicating that the terrorist organization is bent on sabotaging the peace process.
He also revealed that government forces were pursuing the groups of Ysa Ganoy, Abdulkarim Hashim, Ben Harrsi, and Emarudin Kulay, all BIFF field commanders, during the operation.
Earlier, residents in Datu Saydona Mustapha town complained of money being taken from them by the BIFF.
Pangcog said farmers and fisherfolk have also complained that the group had prevented them from tending their farms or fishing in the marshland.
He said the government remains open to BIFF militants who wish to surrender.