Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Four killed as Army-BIFF clashes resume in Maguindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 9): Four killed as Army-BIFF clashes resume in Maguindanao

Heavy fighting erupted anew in Datu Salibo, Maguindanao when outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) tried to prevent government forces from securing a government project site harassed by rebels.

On board armored personnel carriers, elements of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion slowly moved to silts beside the river while the BIFF fired several shots of cal. 50 Barret sniper rifles.

Using cal. 50 and cal. 30 machine guns mounted atop military vehicles, the Army strafed areas where the BIFF had positioned.

Residents said at least four bandits were seen hit by machinegun fires.

Lt. Colonel Warlito Limet, 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion commander, said they have intelligence information that at least four or five rebels were killed but could not recover the dead bodies as they were taken by retreating guerillas.

The outlawed Moro armed group opposed to a development project resumed Tuesday, the Army here said.

Intense fire fight erupted at about 8 a.m. Tuesday near the road leading to Datu Salibo from Datu Saudi Ampatuan, both in Maguindanao, forcing government forces to shut down portions of the highway.

"For the safety of civilians and commuters, we temporarily shut down the lone road leading to Datu Piang from Datu Saudi Ampatuan town," Police Inspector Noel dela Cruz, Datu Salibo town police chief told reporters. Datu Salibo is situated in between Datu Saudi and Datu Piang tows.

Capt. Joann Petinglay, 6th Infantry Division spokesperson, said today’s fire fight erupted when government forces on board armored personnel carriers forced their way into the dredging site where the two dredging equipment was torched by the BIFF.

No casualty was reported Tuesday on the side of the military. On Friday, an Army captain and his subordinate were slightly injured in the skirmishes.

On Monday, Abu Misri Mama, speaking for the BIFF, told reporters they would shoot anyone who came closer to the project site where the two back hoes were stalled.

“We hit several Army tanks, we destroyed two of them," he said. But the Army denied Mama's claim.

Fire fight waned at past 3 p.m. and the police opened the highway traffic.

Based on BIFF's two-way radio communications monitored by the Army indicates the rebel suffered heavy casualties, he said.

Thousands of civilians have deserted the villages of Butalo, Tee and Sambolawan, all in Datu Salibo since Friday when the BIFF tried to take over the project site.

Mama admitted they attack the workers and the equipment because it failed to settle right of way claims of land owners.

The project, funded through development funds of Maguindanao 2nd district Rep. Zajid Mangudadatu, aims to establish flood control canal to spare farmlands and residential areas during rainy season.

Sporadic exchange of snipers' shot are still heard along the Maguindanao highway as of 5 p.m. Tuesday.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=855335

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