BIFF kills unarmed soldier working for gov't project in Maguindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 4): BIFF kills unarmed soldier working for gov't project in Maguindanao

An unarmed soldier belonging to the Army's engineering battalion was shot dead Tuesday afternoon by a suspected member of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

Senior Supt. Agustin Tello, municipal police chief, said Cpl. Tamano Macadatar, a carpenter, was part of the Army construction team building a learning facility in Barangay Tukanalipao, Mamasapano, Maguindanao when shot by a still unidentified gunman at around 3 p.m.

Tello said the suspect, armed with M1-Garand rifle, approached Macadatar and shot him repeatedly.

Macadatar's companions were out when the shooting occurred. He belonged to the 524th Engineering Battalion under the Army's 52nd Engineering Brigade based in Camp Siongco, Maguindanao.

Macadatar and other Army engineers were the same soldiers helping the Teach Peace, Build Peace Foundation construct a learning center for residents of Barangay Tukanalipao.

The village was the site of the bloody encounter between the elite police Special Action Force and lawless elements. Government forces were then out to neutralize the country's most wanted terrorist, Malaysian Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan.

The carnage left 44 SAF members dead and almost shut down the peace process in Mindanao between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Tello said police investigators are now following up the case and hope to identify the perpetrator.

He said it was a premeditated attack since 10 other gunmen were seen positioned a few meters away from the bunkhouse where the soldier-carpenters stayed.

Mamasapano is one of the four towns in Maguindanao where the BIFF bandits operate.

 http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=977488