Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Army condemns killing of soldiers by suspected BIFF members

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 23): Army condemns killing of soldiers by suspected BIFF members

The Army battalion previously based in Northern Samar has condemned the killing of unarmed soldiers by suspected members of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Datu Unsay, Maguindanao on Monday.

“It's very unfortunate that these unarmed soldiers working for peace were killed in a treacherous way by the BIFF. They don’t even care for the future of the children in the area where these victims has dreamed also to uplift the education of the kids," said Lt. Col. Delos Reyes, commander of Army’s 34th Infantry Battalion in a phone interview.

Suspected BIFF members attacked Melvin Nebrida of Lapinig Northern Samar and Edmund Tindak of Siquijor past 3 p.m. on Monday. Both soldiers have a rank of private first class.

The two unarmed soldiers wearing athletic uniforms were killed while on their way to Shariff Aguak military camp, riding a motorcycle to get some materials for classroom construction in Datu Unsay Central Elementary School.

The victims who were being tailed by the armed men were hit in the head and another one at the back. Afterwards, the assailant allegedly snatched the motorcycle of the soldiers and fled towards the towns of Shariff Aguak, Pagatin, Mamasapano and Salbo.

The soldiers were rushed to the Maguindano provincial hospital but were declared dead on arrival by attending physicians.

Delos Reyes said that the soldiers of the 34th IB was implementing school building repairs in Datu Unsay town, which was burned by armed groups during a clan war.

Unarmed soldiers doing community works in Maguindanao areas have become frequent targets by rebels.

According to the official, the “barbaric killing” of unarmed soldiers and civilians is by itself a war crime and crime against humanity.

“The BIFF rebels have no regards for the well-being of the people they killed and looted. The attack against my soldiers who are doing community works is not only an attack to us soldiers, but also to the peace-loving people of Maguindanao,” he said.

“This is a blatant display of desperation and arrogance on the part of the BIFF rebels.,”

However, the army will continue with their strong cooperation with the Muslim people to defeat the terrorists and restore peace, stability and prosperity in the entire Mindanao area.

Currently, soldiers from the Army’s 6th Infantry Division were conducting “hot pursuit” operations in areas near the border of Datu Unsay town.

“We will do whatever we can do to finish this and to protect the civilians,” he said.

The the 34th IB under the 8th Infantry Division here in Eastern Visayas was previously based in Opong village in Catubig, Northern Samar.

The battalion was deployed to Mindanao on March 2015 to support the all-out offensive against the BIFF and maintain peace and security in the conflict-stricken areas of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=775348

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