[Mindanao Examiner] Philippine security forces killed more than a dozen Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) militants and captured their camp following a gun battle in Maguindanao province.Officials said the troops assaulted the BIFF encampment and captured the base used by militants under Sukarno Sapal as launch point from which to attack military posts in the area.
There were no reports of military casualties, according to Capt. Jo-ann Petinglay, a spokeswoman for the 6th Infantry Division. She said division commander Maj. Gen. Edmundo Pangilinan ordered an intensified operation against the BIFF.
Colonel Melquiadez Feliciano, commander of the 601st Infantry Brigade, said the captured camp was also being used by the BIFF as a training base. He said troops fired more than a dozen cannon rounds at the base. He said the militants were also behind recent attacks in Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat provinces.