Army, PNP condemns BIFF atrocities in North Cotabatao

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 14): Army, PNP condemns BIFF atrocities in North Cotabatao

Police and military authorities here condemned the atrocities carried out by outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) who attacked a banana plantation in North Cotabato Sunday dawn and torched P35 million worth of equipment.

Senior Inspector Jojit Nicolas, speaking for the provincial police office, said the BIFF torched two diesel engine trucks, two backhoes, and a mechanized boom sprayer truck then carted away valuables of Delinanas plantation in Barangay Dungos, Tulunan, North Cotabato.

According to Nicolas, the BIFF had been mulcting the Delinanas company, a subsidiary of Del Monte Fruit firm, but the company ignored and sought security from the military.

At about 2:00 a.m., the firm’s security guards backed by Army Special Forces engaged the attackers in gun battle that lasted until 5 a.m.

One BIFF member was killed while a Russian made AK-47 rifle was recovered from him.

While the security guards and soldiers were battling the BIFF, another BIFF band came from a different direction and set off the equipment on fire.

The BIFF hurriedly fled as Army and police reinforcement arrived.

About two hours later, another group of BIFF members shot at a team of militiamen in nearby Quirino town in Sultan Kudarat, about 15 kilometers from Tulunan town. No one was reported injured.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=662356