Ongoing military offensives target 3 foreign militants

Three foreign militants are among the targets of the ongoing military assaults against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) at Liguasan Marsh in Maguindanao province, the military said yesterday.

Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (ID), said that one of the three foreigners is an Indonesian who was wounded during the military assault.

“There were three foreign nationals but we could not (ascertain their identities)…there was one wounded Indonesian,” Sobejana said.

Unfortunately, Sobejana said that one soldier was killed during the operation.

Sobejana said the operations were continuing as of Monday, vowing there would be no let-up in the offensive until the capability of the BIFF to mount bombings and other terrorist activities have been degraded.

“The firefight is ongoing because what we are doing is sustained (operation). We will not stop, we will sustain this one because we have already cornered them,” Sobejana said.

He, however, said that the soldiers were experiencing stiff resistance from the terrorists who were on a defensive position.

The military launched an operation against the BIFF on Sunday at the Liguasan Marsh — destroying the rebels bomb factory facility and killing 15 BIFF fighters.

The assault was backed by artillery and aircraft, however, the terrorists were attempting to fend off the advance of the soldiers.

Sobejana vowed he will use all available assets to finish off the rebels there.

Residents living near Liguasan Marsh have fled their homes in order to avoid getting trapped in the firefight.

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