Scout Rangers seize another BIFF encampment in Maguindanao

DATU HOFFER, Maguindanao----Elite soldiers of the 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion led by Lt Col Ignatius 'Bong' Patrimonio seized another BIFF encampment located in the southern part of Camp Omar complex here at around 6:30am on Saturday (Aug 18).

"The encampment can accommodate 100 people and it has 10 bunkers with overhead protection. Several war materials and personal belongings were left behind by the rebels who hastily fled with numerous casualties when the artillery bombardments began," said Patrimonio of Dumaguete City.

The remnants of the self-styled BIFF forces have splintered into smaller groups to evade the pursuit operations conducted by the Army's 6th Infantry Division.

More soldiers are deployed in strategic locations to thwart any attempts by Kato's men to conduct more atrocities against hapless civilians.

The presence of the Scout Rangers in the area is a big boost to the capabilities of the Army in building a credible deterrence against the bandit group formed by former MILF leader Ustadz Ameril Umbra Kato.

The 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion used to serve in the provinces of Maguindanao and Cotabato from 1997 to 2000, after which it was brought to Sulu province during the Sipadan hostage taking incident.