Sobejana calls for vigilance in Maguindanao after BIFF attack

Local government officials in Maguindanao and their constituents must stay vigilant after security forces drove away on Saturday Islamic State-linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), top military official said Sunday.

“I enjoin the populace of and local leaders in Maguindanao to remain vigilant as we continue our watch until peace is stabilized,” Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff General Cirilito Sobejana said in a statement.

On Saturday, a gun battle erupted between joint police-military forces and armed members of the BIFF, who occupied the Datu Paglas public market.

No casualties were reported in the skirmish as BIFF members fled in different directions from the clash site. 

Sobejana added that security forces "will not rest until the threat is neutralized" -- even as the situation in Datu Paglas has been put back to normal.  

“Let us continue to engage local government authorities, stakeholders, and civilians to ensure that peace and security in Datu Paglas and its neighboring towns are preserved,” Sobejana said.

Meanwhile, the military identified the leader of the armed group as Mohiden Animbang, alias Karialan, who was reportedly involved in IED (improvised explosive device) attacks in Datu Saudi Ampatuan in March 2021, which left two people dead and two others wounded.

Recovered from Datu Paglas market were four IEDs left by over 20 armed BIFF members, who are under pressure from intense military operations.

Joint Task Force Central spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel John Baldomar said the BIFF forces were able to withdraw after lawmen isolated the area.

“The extremist groups were forced to withdraw in the same morning after security forces were able to isolate the area. The national highway was again open for public commuters at around 10:30 in the morning of the same day after the clearing of the area was confirmed by security forces," Baldomar added. —LBG, GMA News