Civilians flee as armed clashes rage in Maguindanao on New Year’s Eve

From GMA News (Dec 31): Civilians flee as armed clashes rage in Maguindanao on New Year’s Eve

Armed clashes between government forces and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters have continued to rage in Maguindanao's Datu Salibo town, forcing hundreds of residents to flee their homes.

A GMA News report quoted Col. Felicisimo Budiongan, commander of the 1st Mechanized Brigade, as saying that the armed confrontation erupted when BIFF members attacked military detachments in Datu Salibo at about 7:40 p.m. Friday.

As of past 5 a.m. Saturday, the clashes had continued,  Budiongan said, adding that there was no way yet to determine the number of casualties on both sides.

Also, Budiongan said that because of the huge number of the attacking BIFF rebels, government forces were forced to use 105 mm Howitzers Cannon and two MG-520 attack helicopters from Philippine Air Force (PAF).

Meanwhile, hundreds of civilians have fled to Datu Piang and Datu Saudi Ampatuan towns for safety, he said.

Aside from attacking military detachments in Datu Salibo, the rebels also attacked military positions in the towns of Pigcawayan and Midsayap in North Cotabato.

Budiongan suspected that the attacks were in retaliation for the death of Tamarin Esmael alias Kumander Tamarin, vice-chairman for Internal Affairs of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFM), the political arm of the the BIFF.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/594222/news/regions/civilians-flee-as-armed-clashes-rage-in-maguindanao-on-new-year-s-eve