300 families flee as troops pursue BIFF in Maguindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 14): 300 families flee as troops pursue BIFF in Maguindanao

About 300 families have fled three adjoining villages in Datu Salibo town, Maguindanao for fear of getting caught in the crossfire between government forces and the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), a military spokesperson said on Tuesday.

Capt. Arvin Encinas, 6th Infantry Division spokesperson, said troops have launched pursuit operations against the BIFF after their renewed harassment against government forces and installations in the province.

The latest attempt was a strafing incident Tuesday dawn, he said.

Encinas said the BIFF also planted four improvised explosive devices along the road in the village of Gawang, Datu Salibo on Monday.

Encinas said the recovered improvised bombs "have the signatures" of the BIFF and the same ordnance they have been using against government forces.

Of the four IEDs, one was safely defused while three others were detonated using igniters.

Since last week, the BIFF have been launching "hit and run" attacks on soldiers manning checkpoints and government forces travelling to and from Army bases.

The atrocities committed by the BIFF, according to Encinas, left two soldiers slightly injured.

Due to massing of BIFF forces in the so called "SPMS box" or the adjoining towns of Shariff Aguak, Pagatin (Datu Saudi), Mamasapano and Datu Salibo, the military conducted aerial assaults as ground troops scour the interior of Datu Salibo town.

Encinas said reports from village officials and residents showed that "several foreign looking individuals were seen in the company of the BIFF."

Encinas assured the public that the Army will continue its manhunt against the BIFF members as directed by higher headquarters.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=971473