Ampatuan, Maguindanao -- A day after the local military leadership announced here “continuous and cohesive” operations against the remaining elements of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), the bandit group reportedly launched attacks anew in two more towns in this province on New Year’s Eve.
Field reports were still sketchy as of press time, but it was apparent that the BIFF rampaged through Mamasapano and Shariff Aguak towns at around 11 p.m. Thursday, resulting in running gun battles with government forces.
The reports said the bandit group absorbed heavy casualties with eight reportedly killed from the skirmishes.
Social welfare and human rights agencies said the renewed BIFF attacks triggered the evacuation of hundreds more families from Mamasapano and Shariff Aguak.
The latest BIFF attacks came a day after 6 ID commander Maj. Gen. Edmundo Pangilinan made separate announcements here and in M’lang, North Cotabato that military offensive would continue in “more cohesive fashion against the brigand secessionist group.”
Pangilinan made the announcement after BIFF combatants killed nine civilians on Dec. 24 and 25 in villages of Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat; Pigcawayan. North Cotabato, and this town.
The remains and families of the six of the fatalities, all Christian farmers from barangay Kauran here, were visited by Pangilinan and Maguindanao Governor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu on Wednesday after holding a closed-door meeting where both reportedly agreed on the continuing intensified and cohesive offensives against BIFF combatants.
Mangudadatu also met with the widows and children of the slain farmers – Mario Estenote, Mark Anthony Templa, Ramoncito Estorque, Ariel Bucais, Bernard Ebagat, and Rudy Roquero – and distributed to them cash assistance of P10,000 each and sacks of rice.
The governor also ordered Provincial Budget Officer Lynette Estandarte to accommodate the high school and college student-children of the slain farmers into the provincial government’s scholarship program to ensure that they would be able to continue their studies
http://www.mb.com.ph/biff-strikes-anew-attacks-mamasapano-shariff-aguak/
Field reports were still sketchy as of press time, but it was apparent that the BIFF rampaged through Mamasapano and Shariff Aguak towns at around 11 p.m. Thursday, resulting in running gun battles with government forces.
The reports said the bandit group absorbed heavy casualties with eight reportedly killed from the skirmishes.
Responding security forces also suffered casualties, according to a radio report. But the military, particularly the Sixth Infantry Division (6 ID) that operates in Central Mindanao, including Maguindanao, said it was still consolidating field reports on the incidents.
The latest BIFF attacks came a day after 6 ID commander Maj. Gen. Edmundo Pangilinan made separate announcements here and in M’lang, North Cotabato that military offensive would continue in “more cohesive fashion against the brigand secessionist group.”
Pangilinan made the announcement after BIFF combatants killed nine civilians on Dec. 24 and 25 in villages of Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat; Pigcawayan. North Cotabato, and this town.
The remains and families of the six of the fatalities, all Christian farmers from barangay Kauran here, were visited by Pangilinan and Maguindanao Governor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu on Wednesday after holding a closed-door meeting where both reportedly agreed on the continuing intensified and cohesive offensives against BIFF combatants.
Mangudadatu also met with the widows and children of the slain farmers – Mario Estenote, Mark Anthony Templa, Ramoncito Estorque, Ariel Bucais, Bernard Ebagat, and Rudy Roquero – and distributed to them cash assistance of P10,000 each and sacks of rice.
The governor also ordered Provincial Budget Officer Lynette Estandarte to accommodate the high school and college student-children of the slain farmers into the provincial government’s scholarship program to ensure that they would be able to continue their studies
http://www.mb.com.ph/biff-strikes-anew-attacks-mamasapano-shariff-aguak/
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