BIFF rebels hurt in clashes with Army in Maguindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 6): BIFF rebels hurt in clashes with Army in Maguindanao

At least two Moro bandits were wounded in clashes Friday with government forces following an improvised bomb attack in Maguindanao that left a soldier killed and three others wounded, the Army here said.

Colonel Dickson Hermoso, speaking for the 6th Infantry Division, said soldiers belonging to the 45th Infantry Battalion, led by Lt. Colonel Donald Hongitan, clashed with Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in the interior villages of Datu Unsay Friday morning.

No casualty was reported on government side.

Initial report showed two guerillas were seen wounded and carried by their retreating companions as the Army launched offensive.

”They retreated but we are pursuing them,” Hermoso said.

Quoting a report from Lt. Colonel Donald Hongitan, 45th Infantry Battalion commander, Hermoso said there could be more BIFF fatalities after the Army used artillery against the guerillas who fled deep into the forest of Maguindanao.

Hermoso said no reported displacement of civilians as the clash area was far from residential communities.

He said the highway linking Cotabato City and Gen. Santos City remained passable but he advised commuters to refrain from traveling at night and early morning.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=650901