BIFF stages first attack under new leader Bungos

From ABS-CBN (Apr 16): BIFF stages first attack under new leader Bungos

The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) on Wednesday evening attacked the military's headquarters in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao.

According to Capt. Jo-ann Petinglay, public affairs officer of the Army's 6th Infantry Division, an undetermined number of BIFF members fired shots at the headquarters of the 1st Mechanized Brigade in Barangay Kabingi at around 10 p.m.

Petinglay said the BIFF and government forces exchanged fires for at least 10 minutes, until the renegade group withdrew.

No one from the military was hurt. Also, no armored vehicle was damaged.

This is the first attack launched by the BIFF after the death of its leader, Ustadz Ameril Umbra Kato. The BIFF is currently under the leadership of Esmael Abubakar alias Commander Bungos.

"The purpose is to create fear, sow fear. They are making their presence felt," Armed Forces public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said.

According to Cabunoc, the military facility attacked is near a civilian community, which made it difficult for the soldiers to go all-out in the firefight against the BIFF.

Cabunoc said the military is anticipating more attacks that may be perpetrated by the BIFF with its new leader, who is known to have led attacks on civilians and harassment along highways over the past years.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/04/16/15/biff-stages-first-attack-under-new-leader-bungos