16 killed as AFP-BIFF fighting resumes in Maguindanao

From InterAksyon (Mar 30): 16 killed as AFP-BIFF fighting resumes in Maguindanao

At least 12 members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), including its commander, and four soldiers were killed and scores wounded as clashes resumed between the military and the BIFF in Maguindanao, Captain Jo-Ann Petniglay, public affairs chief of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said Monday.

“Sixteen people were killed including four Army soldiers and one notorious BIFF commander in the series of firefight against the splintered elements of the BIFF in Maguindanao on Sunday,” Petinglay said in a statement.

Elements of the 6th Scout Ranger Company led by Capt. Blas Alsiyao first encountered the BIFF under sub-leader named Commander Bungos in Barangay Malangog, Datu Unsay around 9:30 a.m.

The BIFF camp was captured by the elite forces after about an hour of heavy clash. Petinglay said the bandits fled with their casualties.

At around 9:50 a.m., soldiers from the 34th Infantry Battalion encountered a small group of BIFF led by a certain Commander Bisaya in Barangay Pamalian, Shariff Saydona. 

Prompt reinforcements outmaneuvered the BIFF, killing Bisaya. Eleven other bandits were also wounded in the hour-long firefight.

On the government side, two soldiers were wounded and evacuated by the medical team of the 601st Infantry Brigade on board a KM451 military ambulance.

While the ambulance was approaching Barangay Elian in Datu Saudi Ampatuan at around 1 p.m., another small group of the BIFF fired at the convoy hitting the driver of the vehicle.

The medical team immediately fired back while bringing their wounded to a safer area.

More troops were sent to reinforce and extricate the troops and the medical personnel, who were only brought to safety around 4 p.m.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/107928/16-killed-as-afp-biff-fighting-resumes-in-maguindanao