February 2, 2014
Military ends hunt vs Muslim rebels after capture of camps - Business Mirror
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THE military ended on Sunday its operations against members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Central Mindanao after capturing the bandits’ four camps and assembly plant for homemade bombs.
The soldiers also reportedly killed 52 BIFF members, which included children. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) added 49 of the BIFF guerrillas were wounded during the six-day military operations that began days after the government announced a peace deal is nearing approval.
The military said on Sunday that elements of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division seized four BIFF camps and a bomb-making factory at Barangay Ganta, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, during the fighting.
The bomb factory was responsible for the production of improvised explosive devices used in bombings in Central Mindanao, the AFP said.
The AFP added that the BIFF has been a constant threat in the ongoing peace negotiations between the government and the MILF.
“Many of BIFF’s members have standing warrants of arrest and their prolonged evasion will pose threats in communities where the BIFF is contained,” a statement issued by the AFP said.
“The AFP’s support operations will contribute to the successful arrest of target personalities who continue to be a threat to the peace and stability of communities in Maguindanao and neighboring provinces.”
On the side of the government, at least 20 soldiers were wounded while another one was killed. Eight civilians caught in the crossfire were wounded, the military reported on February 2.
The termination of the operations came as the 3-day extension for the military to continue serving warrants of arrest against wanted members of the BIFF lapsed on Sunday.
The warrants of arrest were granted by the Joint Ad Hoc Joint Action Group of the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The MILF and the government announced last week that they are nearing to seal a deal for a peace agreement.
With the end of the operations, the affected civilians numbering at least 35,334 from the towns of Sharif Saydona, Rajah Buayan, Datu Piang all of Maguindanao and Pikit in North Cotabato, can now return to their homes, the military said.
The military operation that began on January 27 centered in several areas in the provinces of Maguindanao and North Cotabato.
The skirmishes between soldiers and the BIFF began after bandits ambushed a team of policemen and Philippine Army troops on its way to serve warrants against BIFF members in Pikit, North Cotabato and Sultan in Barongis, Maguindanao.
The fighting spread to other areas in the towns of Shariff Saidona Mustapha, Datu Piang and Rajah Buayan in Maguindanao.
Source: Top Stories - Google News
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