From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 5): AFP to set up detachments in former BIFF-controlled areas
To prevent remnants of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) from establishing themselves anew in their camps, which were captured by the military during "Operation Darkhorse" in Maguindanao, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday announced that it will be establishing detachments in these areas.
This was revealed by AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala.
BIFF camps and training facilities were located in Barangays Bakat, Ganta in Sharif Saydona Mustapha town and Barangays Damabalas and Reina Regente in Datung Piang, Maguindanao.
He added that placing military detachments in the areas would ensure that the BIFF will no longer use the localities as staging points.
"We are already there. We will stay. We will set up our own presence so we can continue clearing the area from BIFF influence. Right now we will put detachments there," he added.
The AFP public affairs office chief stressed that there is no need to reinforce the Maguindanao-based 6th Infantry Division as the latter unit has sufficient personnel and equipment for this kind of duty.
As of this posting, clearing operations against IEDs (improvised explosive devices) are still ongoing, Zagala stressed.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=612948
To prevent remnants of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) from establishing themselves anew in their camps, which were captured by the military during "Operation Darkhorse" in Maguindanao, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday announced that it will be establishing detachments in these areas.
This was revealed by AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala.
BIFF camps and training facilities were located in Barangays Bakat, Ganta in Sharif Saydona Mustapha town and Barangays Damabalas and Reina Regente in Datung Piang, Maguindanao.
He added that placing military detachments in the areas would ensure that the BIFF will no longer use the localities as staging points.
"We are already there. We will stay. We will set up our own presence so we can continue clearing the area from BIFF influence. Right now we will put detachments there," he added.
The AFP public affairs office chief stressed that there is no need to reinforce the Maguindanao-based 6th Infantry Division as the latter unit has sufficient personnel and equipment for this kind of duty.
As of this posting, clearing operations against IEDs (improvised explosive devices) are still ongoing, Zagala stressed.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=612948