AFP captures BIFF camp in Maguindanao town

The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Tuesday captured one of the main camps of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters rebel group in Maguindanao after a firefight that lasted aroud five hours.

 

In an interview, Captain Joan Petinglay — Army 6th Infantry Division public affairs officer — said that the military overran the rebel camp located at Sitio Pedtad, Midpantakan, General Salipada K. Pendatun in Maguindanao.

 

The firefight between government forces and the rebels started around 6:50 am and ended at around lunch time.  The camp can house up to a thousand rebels and is equipped with a  training facility, Petinglay said. 

 

"Yes, dahil main camp ito. May mga nakita rin kaming paraphernalia at armas," she said when asked by GMA News Online whether the capture of the camp is a big blow against the BIFF.

 

No casualty was reported on the government side, while Petinglay has yet to receive reports on casualties from the rebel group.

 

"Ang estimate namin sa size ng BIFF nasa 400 to 500 na lang sila pero dumadami sila kapag may bakbakan because they can muster the support of their relatives," she said.

 

Petinglay said that the camp was also the base used by BIFF members who attacked two military detachments in the towns of President Quirino and General Salipada K. Pendatun last Saturday.

A soldier died in the attacks and three others were wounded. — JDS, GMA News