Civilians trapped as military, BIFF clash in Maguindanao town

From InterAksyon (Jul 24): Civilians trapped as military, BIFF clash in Maguindanao town

A number of civilians are trapped in an ongoing clash between government troops and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in Talayan, Maguindanao that began Thursday night.

One of the residents said occasional bursts of fire could still be heard Friday morning.

BIFF spokesman Abu Misri Mama blamed the military for triggering the hostilities when troops entered Barangay Damabalak and encountered their fighters led by Ustadz Khadaffy.

It is unclear if any civilians have been hurt in the fighting.

6th Infantry Division spokesperson Captain Joan Petinglay said the operation in Talayan is part of their continuing campaign to neutralize the BIFF.

Meanwhile, a grenade launcher was fired at a detachment of the 40th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Tukanalipao, Mamasapano Thursday night.

No one was injured in the incident.

Tukanalipao is the village where most of the 44 police Special Action Force commandos who died in a clash that broke out during the covert operation to get Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias “Marwan,” on January 25 were killed.

The clash also left 17 Moro Islamic Liberation Front fighters and three civilians dead and almost scuttled the peace agreement between the government and MILF.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/114770/civilians-trapped-as-military-biff-clash-in-maguindanao-town