The military here announced Monday the death of 23 members
of the Moro lawless elements, including three ranking leaders and four soldiers
in fresh fighting in Maguindanao Sunday.
Colonel Melquiades Feliciano, 601st brigade commander, said
fighting in two separate areas in Maguindanao erupted after the Bangsamoro
Islamic Freedom Fighters returned to the groups’ encampment in the town of Datu Unsay
“The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) took
advantage of our suspended military operation and gathered anew in Barangay
Malangob, Datu Unsay,” Colonel Melquiades Feliciano, 601st brigade commander
said, adding that the fighting erupted at 9 a.m. and lasted until 7 p.m.
Sunday.
“We have body counts of at least 10 rebels, including the
three leaders,” he said. The other fatalities were buried quickly by their
comrades, he said.
Apparently, the BIFF returned to Malangob in Datu Unsay,
Maguindanao to check if the Army has captured its camp. While there, they
engaged Army Scout Rangers in fierce fighting that lasted until 3 p.m., the
brigade commander said.
The Army declared unilateral SOMO from Thursday and was to
end Sunday to allow graduation rites of students in the towns of Shariff Aguak,
(Pagatin) Datu Saudi, Mamasapano and Shariff Saydona.
“They thought the ceasefire will continue so the rebels
regrouped,” he said.
Feliciano identified the slain BIFF leaders as Abeh Salih
alias Commander Bisaya, Nords Indong alias Bhuto and his brother Salaudin
Indong.
Capt. Joann Petinglay, 6th Infantry Division spokesperson,
said Commander Bisaya was the leader of the BIFF hit squad who liquidated at
least seven soldiers, including an Army major from Camp Aguinaldo
Commander Nords Indong is the brother of BIFF leader Kagi
Karialan while Indong Salahudin was his brother in law.
Two Army Scout rangers were killed in clashes in Datu Unsay
and two others were killed when the BIFF ambushed a military ambulance carrying
wounded soldiers in Pamalian, Datu Shariff Saydona, Maguindanao at 10 a.m.
The wounded and slain soldiers will remain unidentified
until their next of kin are fully and officially informed, Capt. Joann
Petinglay, 6th Infantry Division spokesperson said.
Felliciano identified 13 of the 23 fallen BIFF as Muhad
Kanapia Zailon, Usop Muhaimen Udtog, Radzak Lidasan, Maulana Kayatog, Sadriz
Lumenda, Malated Tebungkog, Ulama Abdulhamed, Saptula Amen, Maslamama Utiyak, a
certain Kasla and the three slain commanders.
He added the soldiers captured the camp in Malangob village.
Abu Misry Mama, speaking for the BIFF, denied his group
suffered 23 dead. “We only have one killed in action and seven wounded,” Mama
told reporters.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=748951
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