Government forces retrieve remains of civilians executed by BIFF

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 24): Government forces retrieve remains of civilians executed by BIFF

Fleeing Moro bandits executed two civilians along the way as the day-long conflict involving Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and government forces ended Monday night in remote villages of Midsayap, North Cotabato.

Government forces retrieved Tuesday the remains of two civilians killed by BIFF at the height of skirmishes in the village of Malingao, Midsayap, North Cotabato.

Two civilians were executed by the BIFF rebels as they fled pursuing government forces Monday morning, according to Colonel Dickson Hermoso, spokesperson of the 6th Infantry Division.

The remains of Ricardo Dionio, 41 and Erwin Viloan, 22, both of Barangay Salunayan, Midsayap, North Cotabato were found at a roadside, site of Monday’s heavy firefight between BIFF and elements of 40th Infantry Battalion.

Mayor Romeo Araña said Dionio was beheaded while Viloan was shot in the head.

Supt. Renante delos Santos, Midsayap police chief, said the two were executed by BIFF at about 9:00 p.m. Monday night when the guerrillas fled.

The rebels fled from Malingao, Elementary School in Barangay Malingao and took along with them nine public schoolteachers.

All the nine teachers were released at 1:00 a.m. Tuesday by BIFF after the rebels crossed the Rio Grande de Mindanao.

The teachers are now reunited with their families, Araña said.

North Cotabato Governor Emmylou Mendoza said about 2,000 families have been displaced by the conflict. The evacuees are now housed at the municipal gymnasium and classes in at least six adjoining villages have been suspended.

“Our social workers are attending to their immediate needs,” Mendoza said.

Hermoso said clearing operations are still ongoing in the villages of Tugal, Malingao, Polomoguin, Salunayan and nearby areas to ensure no unexploded ordnance litter the villages.

Many evacuees prefer to stay at evacuation centers than return home for fear the conflict might erupt anew.

Three soldiers, two civilians and eight BIFF members were killed in the day-long conflict in Midsayap.

The slain soldiers were identified as Pfc. Robert Bale of 40th IB, Pfc. Raymund Villariz and Pfc. Adonis Alejo, 29, both of 7th Infantry Battalion.

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