COTABATO CITY: Three members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) were killed in a two-day firefight in Maguindanao that started on Saturday and lasted until Sunday and also leading to the discovery of their lair.

According to Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command, the troops of the Joint Task Force Central were conducting focused military operations when they encountered at least 10 BIFF terrorists under Muslimin Amilil, aka Mus of the 2nd Division of Karialan Faction. “Firefight ensued at Sitio Proper, Barangay Linantangan, Shariff Saydona Mustapha municipality, Maguindanao at about 5:52 a.m. on Sunday, which resulted in the deaths of three BIFF militants,” Vinluan said.

While scouring the clash site, troops recovered the remains of the BIFF men and war materiel including three .45 caliber pistols, two hand grenades, eight grams of a crystalline substance believed to be shabu and P1,000 cash.

The recovered bodies and items were brought to the 1st Mechanized Battalion headquarters for proper disposition.

During the first day of the military operation, an abandoned enemy camp was discovered by the soldiers at Sitio Tubak, Barangay Saniag, Ampatuan, Maguindanao.

Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, commander of Joint Task Force Central, said the hideout can accommodate at least 80 to 100 persons.

It has 12 foxholes, three overhead bunkers, eight bunkers, three guard posts and running trenches.

The troops recovered one bandolier, four magazine pouches, one short magazine, one improvised explosive device, a copy of the Qur’an and suspected improvised explosive device components. The items were placed under the custody of the 92nd Infantry Battalion.

Vinluan congratulated the soldiers of the Cotabato City-based Joint Task Force Central, saying, “Rest assured that the Armed Forces will continue to conduct focused military operations to hunt and pound on the enemies, and recover their strongholds and armaments.”