COMBINED UNITS of the military seized the firearms factory of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter (BIFF) in a raid on the rebel group’s lair in the town of General Salipada K. Pendatun, Maguindanao, on Wednesday morning. The 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion and 7th Field Artillery Battalion recovered a gun-making machine, two rocket-propelled grenade launcher, one caliber .45 M1911 pistol, one 12-gauge shotgun, rifle grenades, unfinished homemade guns, and several ammunition. Some 15 people were briefly held for interrogation and later released to the local government officials. Lieutenant Colonel Harold M. Cabunoc of the 33rd Infantry Brigade said the firearms manufacturing capability of the BIFF was specifically targeted to degrade the group’s firepower. — Minde Nyl R. dela Cruz
