Army confirms death of 10 BIFF men

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 6): Army confirms death of 10 BIFF men

The military here on Wednesday confirmed 10 members of ISIS-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) were killed in fresh clashes with government ally, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Citing reports from government forces on the ground and MILF leaders, Colonel Diosdado Carreon, commander of the Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade, said the BIFF suffered fatalities in a series of encounters between them and the Army and MILF’s Task Force Ittihad (Unity) in the villages of Tee, Andavit and Sambulawan, all in Datu Salibo, Maguindanao.

The slain ISIS sympathizers belong to BIFF Esmael Abdulmalik faction.

Government and MILF forces are now “allies” in the fight against terrorism as provided for in the GPH-MILF ceasefire agreement.

In the accord, the MILF will help the military in neutralizing terrorists, kidnappers and lawless elements in areas identified the MILF.

Manila and MILF signed the Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro in 2014.

Fighting between former comrades in arms erupted anew on Monday and fighting lasted for more than five hours, according to Colonel Carreon.

Helicopter gunships took turns in pounding the terrorists’ encampment in the marshland of Barangay Tee on Monday morning while artillery fire from 105 howitzers helped neutralized the armed men.

An MILF official, who asked not to be named, said the MILF leadership has directed its men not to publicize the casualty figures of “enemies of Islam.”

Both Army and MILF officials also confirmed that an MILF operations officer was also killed in the firefight.

Meanwhile, MILF brigade commander Peter Baltao said his group is prepared to help the government fight terrorists from Marawi and Lanao del Sur if they come to Maguindanao.

Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu assured his constituents that the provincial government and the government forces are on top of the situation and continue alert status to stop Maute and Abu Sayyaf Group from moving to Maguindanao.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1008699