Soldiers repulse attacks by BIFF in North Cotabato

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 2): Soldiers repulse attacks by BIFF in North Cotabato

Government forces repulsed attempts by renegade Muslim rebels to occupy three remote communities in North Cotabato on New Year's Day, the Army here said.

Captain Antonio Bulao, speaking for the Army's 602nd Infantry Brigade based in Carmen, North Cotabato, said the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) suffered three wounded fighters when government forces clash with them in the borders of North Cotabato and Maguindanao on the eve of New Year.

"One of our troops was slightly wounded," Bulao said. "Three of them were also hurt but carried by retreating lawless elements," he added.

Colonel Dickson Hermoso, 6th Infantry "Kampilan" Division spokesperson, said about 40 BIFF fighters attacked hours before the new year the village of Nabalawag, Pikit, North Cotabato and engaged the soldiers of the 40th Infantry Battalion in a 20 minute firefight.

"No casualty was reported from both sides," Hermoso said.

During the early hours of Wednesday, BIFF guerillas also attacked a detachment of 7th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Kolambog, Pikit, North Cotabato but alert soldiers staved off the rebels' attempts to occupy the village.

Bulao, citing reports from village officials in the barangays bordering Maguindanao and North Cotabato, said about five BIFF fighters were killed but the bodies were taken by retreating attackers toward Datu Piang in Maguindanao.

Bulao also said that no evacuation of civilians were reported.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=601313