47 'neutralized' in Philippine offensive

By Hader Glang

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines

Government forces last week “neutralized” 47 rebels including foreigners in a series of military operations in the Philippines’ troubled south, according to the military.

The Western Mindanao Command said Sunday that troops delivered a crippling blow to foreign and local militants in a series and deliberate operations on March 13-16 in Central Mindanao.

Capt. Jo-Ann Petinglay, WesMincom spokesperson, said air and ground operations were launched against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), leading to the neutralization of 47 local and foreign rebels belonging to the organization.

She said troops also recovered five improvised explosive devices (IED) and numerous IED components in Barangay Tee, Datu Salibo, and Maguindanao.

Brig. Gen. Arnel dela Vega reported that 21 rebels were killed and 26 wounded in a series of airstrikes and ground combat operations he directed.

The offensives were aimed at the group of Muhammad Ali Bin Abdulrahman, a.k.a Muawiyah, Salahuddin Hassan, and a bomber trained by the latter, and Esmael Abdulmalik, a.k.a. Abu Toraype, the Dawlah Islamiyah Maguindanao founder and a BIFF brigade commander.

The military branded Abdulrahman a negotiator for the Abu Sayyaf group known as a "dangerous" operative of the Jemaah Islamiyah, according to GMA news.

By Hader Glang

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines

Government forces last week “neutralized” 47 rebels including foreigners in a series of military operations in the Philippines’ troubled south, according to the military.

The Western Mindanao Command said Sunday that troops delivered a crippling blow to foreign and local militants in a series and deliberate operations on March 13-16 in Central Mindanao.

She said troops also recovered five improvised explosive devices (IED) and numerous IED components in Barangay Tee, Datu Salibo, and Maguindanao.

Brig. Gen. Arnel dela Vega reported that 21 rebels were killed and 26 wounded in a series of airstrikes and ground combat operations he directed.

The military branded Abdulrahman a negotiator for the Abu Sayyaf group known as a "dangerous" operative of the Jemaah Islamiyah, according to GMA news.