BIFF spokesman Abu Misri Mama is seen in AFP file photo with followers. He claimed the MILF, with which they tangled deep inside the marshland area at the Maguindanao-Cotabato area, sustained five fatalities, including Commander Falcon. AFP FILE PHOTO
Five persons, including a commander of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), were killed Saturday in an encounter with fighters of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in a remote village in Maguindanao, police said.
Per sketchy reports reaching Camp Crame on Sunday, the slain MILF commander is Commander Falcon, a resident of Brgy. Balabak in Pikit, North Cotabato. The clash between MILF and its breakaway group BIFF took place Saturday at Sitio Tatak, Brgy. Kalbugan in Pagalungan town in Maguindanao.
Abu Misry Mama, BIFF spokesman, claimed in a phone interview with PNA, however, that they ascertained there were really five fatalities on the MILF side.
The MILF has in recent weeks been under pressure to prove its sincerity in peace talks with the government after hundreds of MILF fighters and of the supposed splinter BIFF - which opposes the peace process - engaged police commandos on an anti-terrorist mission on Jan. 25, resulting in the deaths of 44 Special Action Force (SAF) members and 18 MILF rebels.
The clash Saturday night between MILF and BIFF happened at the borders of Maguindanao and North Cotabato, the military said.
Capt. Joanne Petinglay, speaking for the 6th Infantry Division, said the clash site was in Barangay Kalbugan, Pagalungan town, “deep inside the Maguindanao marshland." She said "both sides suffered undetermined number of fatalities.”
Petinglay said the group of BIFF Commander Shiek Muhiddin Animbang alias Commander Karialan and MILF Commander Jack Abas had been exchanging sporadic fire since last week, forcing villagers in Barangay Kabasalan, Pikit, North Cotabato to flee. Barangay Kabasalan is near Barangay Kalbugan of Pagalungan.
“A certain Datukong Ampuan alias Commander Falcon of the MILF’s 108th base command was killed and undetermined number on the BIFF side were also killed,” Petinglay said, quoting a report from 7th Infantry Battalion.
Lieutenant Colonel Audie Edralin, 7th IB chief, said the clash started at about 4:30 p.m. Saturday and ended at past 9 p.m.
He said Army intelligence is still determining the number of fatalities from either side as both refuse to admit fatalities.
“The fighting area was very far from the civilian populace of Pagalungan and Pikit,” Petinglay said.
Abu Misri: MILF suffered 5 dead
Abu Misri Mama, speaking for the BIFF, said the MILF suffered five fatalities, including Commander Falcon.
“We only have two fatalities but I am still confirming this. What we have confirmed, really, is five people killed in action from MILF,” Mama said in a phone interview, speaking partly in Filipino.
Mama said the MILF under Commander Falcon initiated the fire fight. “We did not fire first at the MILF because they are our Muslim brothers. They attacked, so we had to fire back,” he said.
Based on intelligence information, an Army official said both groups used mortars and high powered guns.
About 300 families who fled Barangay Kabasalan, Pikit, North Cotabato last week remained in several evacuation sites, according to Pikit social welfare office.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/105124/milf-commander-4-others-killed-in-clash-with-biff-in-maguindanao
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