MAGUINDANAO, Philippines — ( Philippine News Agency ) Soldiers serving as blocking force against outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in Maguindanao clashed Saturday with the lawless elements in Rajah Buayan town, the Army said on Sunday. Outnumbered, the BIFF dispersed and fled toward the Liguasan marshland, leaving behind five firearms, Encinas said. The military recovered a Garand rifle, carbine rifle, M-79 grenade launcher and two 12-gauge shotguns and bomb-making devices. Last week, the Army launched air and ground assaults in the villages of Tee and Andavit, Datu Salibo, Maguindanao after BIFF Commander Bungos and a Jemaah Islamiya senior leader were sighted. Encinas said the focused military operations left at least 10 BIFF killed, including a suspected foreign terrorists whose identity is still being validated.

Source: Philippine Star March 19, 2017 02:26 UTC