Thousands of civilians fled their communities in Datu Saudi
Ampatuan, Maguindanao early Friday after heavily armed Bangsamoro Islamic
Freedom Fighters (BIFF) were sighted in the village of Kitango
Capt. Joann Petinglay, 6th ID spokesperson, said elements of
the 45th Infantry Battalion are now engaged in a running gunbattle with BIFF
forces, led by a certain Commander Kadafi in Barangay Maytumaig, Datu Saudi
Unsay.
Portions of the highway between Crossing Salbo, Datu Saudi
Ampatuan to the town hall
of Datu Unsay
The firefight started at 9:30 a.m. in Sitio Kuwari, Barangay
Maitumaig, Datu Unsay, Maguindanao.
Evacuation continues.
“There was massive evacuation of civilians,” Petinglay said
adding that before the encounter between Army and the BIFF, thousands of
civlians have already evacuated anticipating armed skirmishes.
Heavy fighting is taking place between the towns of Datu
Saudi Ampatuan and Datu Unsay Ampatuan, specifically near the road.
The road from Dalican, Datu Odin Sinsuat until Shariff Aguak
town, both in Maguindanao, have been closed to traffic as Army and BIFF are
poised to engage in shooting war, a commuter told Radyo Bida Koronadal.
Armored personnel carriers and artillery have been
positioned beside the highway as the clash site was only a few kilometers away
from the road network.
Petinglay said elements of the 1st Mechanized Infantry
Brigade, backed by armored personnel carrier, have been deployed along the
highway between Talayan and Datu Saudi Ampatuan, both in Maguindanao.
She could not say how many families have evacuated.
She said the civilians first reported to the Army that they
noticed heavily armed BIFF in their communities and anticipating harassment or
Army-BIFF encounter.
“The highway, portion of the Cotabato-Isulan highway, has
been close to ensure the safety of commuters," Petinglay said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=739597
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.