Army nabs 2 BIFF men in Cotabato attack

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 27): Army nabs 2 BIFF men in Cotabato attack

The military here today announced the arrest of two armed men tagged in the attack in Malagakit, Pigcawayan, North Cotabato last week.

Capt. John Arvin Encinas, speaking for the 6th Infantry Division, said the two members of outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) were arrested in Barangay Butelen, Datu Salibo, Maguindanao.

Encinas said residents alerted the military station in the village about armed men on board a motorized banca along Butelen river.

When accosted, the two admitted they belong to the BIFF but denied they were involved in Pigcawayan attack.

Arrested were Jahren Mantukay, 23 and Bardurim Limba, 28, both residents of Barangay Pagatin, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao.

Taken from the two were two rifles and explosives as well as illegal drugs.

Encinas said the two were turned over to Maguindanao police provincial office for proper disposition.

Citing intelligence information showed that the two were among the 30 armed BIFF who attacked and terrorized the village of Malagakit in Pigcawayan, North Cotabato last June 22.

In that attack, six BIFF, a militiaman and a farmer, were killed. At least 31 civilians were taken hostage and used as human shields by the BIFF in the eight hour atrocities.

At least 200 individuals were displaced by the BIFF atrocities. The attacker also looted houses and desecrated the village chapel.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/997628