File photo of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters. (Romy Elusfa, InterAksyon.com)
At least two bandits were reportedly killed and five Marines were hurt in clashes between outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and Philippine Marines in a remote village here, military and civilian officials said.
Captain Joann Petinglay, speaking for the regional Army unit based in Maguindanao, said two soldiers were injured on Tuesday night and three more were hurt during the 1 a.m. skirmishes Wednesday.
"The overnight firefight was sporadic, on and off," Petinglay told reporters, referring to BIFF attacks that started at 5 p.m. Tuesday in Sitio Badak, Barangay Giwang, Datu Salibo.
Sporadic exchanges of gunfire lasted until about 2 a.m. when the BIFF ceased firing, Petinglay added.
Kagi Solayman, a resident of Datu Salibo, said words have spread among residents of two BIFF fatalities hurriedly buried in the dried up marshland.
"That's what I heard from the people inside," he said.
Petinglay could not say if the BIFF suffered fatalities and could not confirm information shared by residents as the Army has not recovered dead bodies.
The five injured Marines are now being treated at Camp Siongco Hospital in Camp Gonzalo Siongco, the home base of the 6th Infantry Division.
Army reports said about 30 BIFF fighters, led by Commander Bongos, the current leader of the bandit group operating in Maguinanao, simultaneously fired at a group of Marine troopers who had just finished clearing operations to rid the village of improvised bombs planted by the BIFF.
Petinglay said the Army is rushing to complete the clearing operations per directive from 6th ID chief Maj. Gen. Edmundo Pangilinan to terminate the operation before election.
The Datu Salibo conflict started when the BIFF torched two dredging equipment of a private firm working on a flood control project.
At least five soldiers were killed and 36 others, including the five Marines, were hurt in sporadic skirmishes. Most of them were victims of improvised bombs left by fleeing BIFF.
An IED manufacturing area was captured by soldiers in the village of Tee, Datu Salibo early this March.
Meanwhile, civilians are waiting for the green light from the military when to return home. They have been displaced since February 5 and temporarily housed in public schools and nearby villages in Datu Piang and Datu Saudi Ampatuan towns.
Petinglay said soldiers in the front line will not take a Holy Week break.
http://interaksyon.com/article/125578/2-biff-men-reportedly-killed-5-soldiers-hurt-in-maguindanao-clash
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