Philippine Troops Neutralise Key Commander Of Muslim Rebel Group, 11 Associates In Southern Clash

Philippine troops killed the leader of the Muslim rebel group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, along with eleven of his associates, in a clash in the southern Philippines.

The BIFF is one of the few remaining armed factions persisting in a separatist insurgency within the southern Philippines. (Image used for representational purposes only)

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In a recent clash in the southern Philippines, Philippine troops have successfully neutralised the leader of a small Muslim rebel group, along with eleven of his associates, who were allegedly involved in past bombings and extortion activities. The confrontation occurred on Monday in the marshy hinterland of Datu Saudi Ampatuan town in Maguindanao del Sur province.

According to news agency AP, Brig. Gen. Jose Vladimir Cagara confirmed that the hour-long gunbattle resulted in the demise of Mohiden Animbang, also known as Karialan, the key commander of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), alongside his brother Saga Animbang and ten other suspected militants. Seven soldiers sustained injuries during the operation.

"This group has long been notorious for bombings, attacking army and police outposts and extortion of bus companies. We finally caught up with them," Lt. Col. Dennis Almorato, a regional army spokesperson, informed while emphasising the group's history of violence and criminal activities, as reported by AP.

Efforts to persuade Animbang’s group to surrender were reportedly unsuccessful, leading to the military engagement. Almorato indicated that despite multiple attempts at dialogue, the rebels persisted in their resistance against the government.

About Philippines' Insurgent BIFF Group

The BIFF is one of the few remaining armed factions persisting in a separatist insurgency within the southern Philippines, predominantly inhabited by minority Muslims in the primarily Catholic nation. While the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the largest separatist group, signed a peace agreement with the government in 2014, some hardline members, including Ameril Umbra Kato, diverged to form the BIFF, AP's report stated.

Moreover, a segment of the BIFF later aligned with the Islamic State group. The military is also fighting a communist insurgency which is decades old and has been weakened by battle setbacks, infighting, and surrenders.