PATAY ang isang kilabot na lider ng Bagsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter (BIFF) at 11 tauhan nito sa inilunsad na decisive military operation ng Armed Forces of the Philippines sa layuning simutin ang nalalabing kasapi ng mga teroristang grupo sa Maguindanao del Sur.

Bukod sa napaslang na mga terorista, nabawi rin ng mga tauhan ng 1st Brigade Combat Team ang 12 high powered firearms matapos nilang makasagupa ang 15 kasapi ng Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters-Karialan Faction (BIFF-KF), na pinamumunuan ni alyas “Karialan”, sa Sitio Pendililang, Barangay Kitango, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur kamakalawa.

Ayon sa ulat na ipinarating kay Army Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, matapos ang serye ng mga habulan at sagupaan ay napatay sina Mohiden Animbang, a.k.a. Karialan, lider ng grupo; Saga Animbang, Operations Officer ng grupo; at sampung miyembro nito na kinabibilangan nina Ustads Monib Animbang, Ustads Kanary Macmod, Omesi Animbang, Amin Salik, Reduwan Animbang, Commander John Alon, alyas “Kahar”, Tamer Animbang, Julaimi Animbang, at Bilo Abudrasid.

Habang nagsasagawa ng clearing operation sa encounter site ay nadiskubre ang bangkay ng napaslang na mga terorista.

Nakuha rin sa pinagyarihan ng sagupaan ang 12 high-powered firearms at war materials, kabilang dito ang limang M16A1 rifles, apat na M14 rifles, dalawang M653 rifles, isang M4 rifle, isang M67 fragmentary hand grenade, at isang improvised hand grenade.

“We are sad to report that seven of our soldiers were wounded during the course of the fight,” pahayag ni Lt. Gen. William Gonzales, commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

“They were all immediately evacuated to safety for immediate medical attention. As of this report, they are already being taken care of by the best physicians and medical practitioners,” dagdag pa ni Lt. Gen. Gonzales.

“We ask for prayers from all peace-loving people of the country for the successful recovery of our wounded soldiers. Despite the expertise of our doctors, your prayers will be the most powerful tool for them to stay alive and be well again,” pahayag pa ng WestMinCom commander.

Kasalukuyang ginagalugad pa ng mga sundalo ang lugar sa pagsisikap na maneyutralisa ang nalalabi pang mga kasamahan ng grupo, “We will not stop until we neutralize all the terrorists who refuse to end their useless battle peacefully. Our soldiers are out there hunting for them,” ani Lt. Gen. Gonzales, kasabay ng pagbibigay papuri sa Army 6th Infantry Division dahil sa kanilang magandang accomplishment.

(JESSE KABEL RUIZ)