At least 10 outlawed Moro rebels linked to the terror group ISIS were killed in a series of clashes in Maguindanao, the military said Friday.
Capt. John Arvin Encinas, 6th Infantry Division spokesperson, said that sporadic clashes which started Monday also left a Moro soldier dead when outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) with some foreign terrorists tried, but failed, to overrun an Army detachment and foiled their plot to raise the ISIS flag.
Encinas said local residents identified the slain bandits.
Citing intelligence information, Encinas said the BIFF has plotted to launch Marawi-like offensives in Maguindanao in support of terrorists now battling government forces in Marawi City.
He said the hostilities started when about 80 BIFF bandits, brandishing high-powered guns and rocket propelled grenades, attacked at 4 a.m. the detachment of 40th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Tukanalipao, Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
Equipped with night vision device, Army Cpl. Esmael Mohammad noticed the gunmen crawling toward the Army base with ISIS flags.
After alerting his companions, Mohammad stood and opened fire on approaching bandits, yelling “Allahu Akbar (God is great)!”, triggering an hour-long firefight.
Although outnumbered, the soldiers managed to repulse the attack.
The bandits then fled toward the marshy area of Maguindanao.
Maj. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, 6th Infantry Division chief, lauded the 40th IB troopers for the successful operation. (EOF/PNA)
photo credit: NDBC News
