One more BIFF killed in clash with Army in North Cotabato

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 6): One more BIFF killed in clash with Army in North Cotabato

One more Moro bandit was killed as the armed men continued to harass government forces in North Cotabato, the Army here said.

With the death of one Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) Sunday, the death toll among renegade Moro rebel group rose to 10 since December 31 when it started attacking soldiers and militiamen in Pikit and Aleosan, both in North Cotabato.

Capt. Antonio Bulao, speaking for the 602nd Infantry Brigade based in Carmen, North Cotabato, said another BIFF was killed after they clashed with elements of the 7th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Paidu Pulangi, Pikit town at 4 p.m.

Three other BIFF fighters were wounded in the sporadic firefight between Moro bandits and soldiers along Rio Grande de Mindanao.

Bulao said the BIFF had been harassing and sniping soldiers assigned in remote villages of Pikit since December 31.

Two Army battalions have been stationed along Rio Grande de Mindanao where the BIFF operates. Bulao said the infantrymen form part of Task Force Malmar (Malitubog-Maridagao irrigation project).

Due to frequent harassment by BIFF forces on government workers working on the irrigation dam and private contractors, the task force MalMar was formed.

The Army earlier accused the BIFF of mulcting P5 million monthly from the Malmar irrigation dam administration.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=602166