11 BIFF members, girl killed in Maguindanao

From Malaya Business Insight (Jul 15): 11 BIFF members, girl killed in Maguindanao

ELEVEN members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and a 15-year-old girl were killed while 19 other BIFF men and two soldiers were injured in skirmishes in Datu Unsay town in Maguindanao on Wednesday.

Col. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Army’s 601st Brigade, said soldiers from his brigade were on a security operation when they caught up with about 35 BIFF men in barangay Kuloy around 6:20 a.m.

“We conducted clearing operation there because of reported presence of the BIFF,” Sobejana said.  The BIFF men were under commanders Rocky, King Itim and Sukarno Sapal.

He said sporadic fighting, which spread to the nearby Shariff Aguak town, was still ongoing between the two sides as of yesterday afternoon.

“Based on our accounting, 11 died and 19 were wounded on the enemy side,” said Sobejana. He said the military has names of five of the slain BIFF personnel.

On the military side, Sobejana said two soldiers were wounded and are recuperating at a hospital.

“A child was hit in the crossfire. We cannot yet establish from whose side the bullet came from but she died and the government is now helping her,” said Sobejana.

Sobejana said 15-year-old Fatima Elian, a resident of barangay Meta in Datu Unsay town, was hit by a bullet from a cal. 50 weapon. He said the soldiers and BIFF men used cal. 50 machineguns during the fighting.

 “We are maintaining the momentum. They (enemy) are on the move and are also able to maneuver left and right so in the process, engagements are happening….There is still sporadic fighting,” he said.

Military estimates placed the entire strength of the BIFF at about 300 men. The group is composed of former leaders and members of Moro Islamic Liberation Front which signed a peace accord with government in 2014.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/11-biff-members-girl-killed-maguindanao