Military recovers 12 IEDs in Cotabato clash

Soldiers of the 7th Infantry Battalion recovered 12 improvised explosive devices following a clash with Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) gunmen in Cotabato, the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) said on Saturday.

In a statement, WestMinCom said that the Army unit had exchanged fire with gunmen led by Katato Samad at Sitio Blah in Barangay Manaulanan, Pikit on Friday afternoon.

"Samad is a bomb maker and SOG battalion commander of the BIFF’s 1st Division," the WestMinCom explained.

The initial battle was followed by another five-minute clash between soldiers and another BIFF  group at a nearby area.

“Military troops are currently clearing the objectives and blocking possible withdrawal routes of eluding terrorists,” Joint Task Force Central Commander Major General Diosdado Carreon said in a statement.

“Terrorists are on the run as we mount offensives and close in on rebel fighters. Our forces deliberately operate to run down and neutralize terrorists behind the series of bomb attacks and ploys in Central Mindanao,” added WestMinCom commander Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana. — Joahna Lei Casilao/DVM, GMA News