BIFF kills 2 kidnapped farmers, burns villages in Maguindanao

From the Manila Bulletin (Dec 30): BIFF kills 2 kidnapped farmers, burns villages in Maguindanao

Combatants of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) have kidnapped Teduray farmers, allegedly executing two of them and burning houses in two remote Maguindanao towns in a rampage meant to avenge heavy losses in continuing government pursuit operations.

These atrocities happened as government forces in Mindanao are engaged in operations to thwart the increased rebel attacks on troops and policemen in Central Mindanao province, such as the kidnapping of a deputy police chief in Cotabato City.

The Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID), which leads the multi-sector Joint Task Force Central (FTFC) based here, on Friday said they “vehemently condemn” the BIFF “terror attacks” on civilian villages in Datu Unsay and Datu Hofer towns since Christmas Day.

Maj. Gen. Arnel Del Vega, 6ID commander and JTFC chair, said four BIFF combatants were killed and five others were wounded in military airstrikes that came shortly after they burned two makeshift houses at a Teduray village in barangay Iganagampong in Datu Unsay town on Dec. 25.

Last Wednesday, furious BIFF guerrillas abducted six Teduray farmers at barangay Lipongo and made them human shields against pursuing troops, military and police reports said.

The six tribesmen – Kannie, Mael and Elvin, all surnamed Minggil; Uzik Labina, Alex Mintos and Hector Mintos – were snatched by BIFF gunmen while on the way to their farms in Barangay Limpongo, Datu Hoffer town, witnesses told authorities.

The abduction happened just as another BIFF group killed a Teduray farmer identified as Diego Met Dagadas, in a nearby village, the JTFC statement said.

Two of the BIFF captives – Alex and Hector Mintos – were executed, the JTFC said, citing information from village leaders who recovered the two victims’ cadavers Thursday.

The four other captives – the Mingils and Labina – escaped while their captors were resting in an open field after captivity. Their escape could have prompted the BIFF gunmen to execute the Mintos siblings, police investigators said.

Cotabato deputy police chief snatched
Meanwhile, New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas seized a municipal deputy chief of police in President Roxas town, in North Cotabato on Thursday night, according to police and local media reports.

Supt. Bernard Tayong, spokesman of the North Cotabato provincial police office, confirmed Friday the abduction of Chief Inspector Menardo Cui Sr., deputy chief of President Roxas town police station.

Reports on the case of the police officer however did not have much information as Tayong, spokesman of the North Cotabato provincial police office, said the issue on Cui’s adbduction was “sensitive” and concerned parties might be able to negotiate his prompt freedom.

Tayong instead gave the mobile phone number of Chief Inspector Andres Sumugat, Pres. Roxas town police chief, for reporters to inquire about the details on the abduction of his deputy.

However, text messages and calls made by this reporter to that number did not get a response.

Cui’s abduction was the latest in a string of sporadic abductions of police officials and enlisted men in North Cotabato and this city.

Last December 4, the NPA Guerilla Front 53 set free PO1 Bristol Catalan after 105 days of captivity.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/12/30/biff-kills-2-kidnapped-farmers-burns-villages-in-maguindanao/