Update: BIFF attacks another town in North Cotabato

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 24): Update: BIFF attacks another town in North Cotabato

Moro bandits Tuesday attacked security forces of a banana firm in Tulunan, North Cotabato, the military here said.

The Army had to fire howitzers to drive away about 50 Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) who attacked the Delinanas Banana Plantation in Barangay Dungus, Tulunan at about 7 a.m.

Tulunan is about 15 kilometers away from Monday's skirmishes between BIFF and government forces.

Lt. Nasrullah Sema, speaking for the 57th Infantry Battalion, said about 50 heavily armed BIFF forces led by Commanders Diok, Gani and Rikki fired at security personnel of Delinanas Banana Plantation in Barangay Dungus, Tulunan, North Cotabato.

Joint Army and Tulunan PNP (Philippine National Police) engaged the attackers in a firefight until about 9 a.m. No casualty was reported, according to Senior Inspector Jessie Cordero, Tulunan police chief.

Cordero said policemen and elements of the 57th IB are now deployed in Barangay Dungos which was the last village of Tulunan bordering Maguindanao marshland, the area of operation of the BIFF.

Led by former MILF field Commander Umra Ameril Kato, the BIFF broke away from the MILF following the botched signing of Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain in 2008.

The military estimates of BIFF forces was about 1,000 fully armed men and responsible for atrocities against government forces in Maguindanao and North Cotabato.

About 20 families living near the plantation have fled to safer grounds.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=568993