Arvin Encinas, spokesman for the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, told The Manila Times that 12 BIFF terrorists were killed, citing an intelligence report from the ground. One soldier, Private First Class Reinier Molato, was slightly wounded on the right arm, while at least 23 BIFF were wounded. Army forces used 81mm mortars and 105 howitzers against an estimated 50 armed men in the villages of Kitango and Lower Salbu led by a certain Commander Peni. Attack Helicopters, tanks and other military hardware were also sent to the area of operation to contain and hunt down the rebels. One faction, led by Esmail Abdulmalik, alias “Abu Turaify,” is very vocal in supporting the IS in their cause, while others have allegedly detached themselves from the international terrorist group.

Source: Manila Times March 09, 2018 16:18 UTC