Maguindanao cop chief raises alert vs BIFF liquidation squad

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 21): Maguindanao cop chief raises alert vs BIFF liquidation squad

Police authorities here placed their forces under alert Tuesday following the resurgence of an alleged liquidation squad of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

Supt. Agustin Tello, Maguindanao provincial police director, said the ambush Monday of an Army officer and his wife in the national highway in Barangay Meta, Datu Unsay, Maguindanao was a case of liquidation by BIFF members.

Killed was Sgt. Zaldy Caliman of 57th Infantry Battalion. His wife Mimi was injured but their 12-year-old son escaped unhurt.

Tello said the couple with their son were from Datu Abdullah Sangki, Maguindanao on board a motorbike and heading for Cotabato City when two men on board separate opened fire on them at 9 a.m.

Tello said the suspects tailed the victims from somewhere in Ampatuan or in Shariff Aguak towns until they reached a secluded portion of the highway in Barangay Meta.

According to the police director, threats from the BIFF remain in Maguindanao and uniformed government forces are reminded to take precautionary measures.The ragtag BIFF is composed of former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels after revolutionary struggle disagreements.

The BIFF was blamed for the rash of attacks against soldiers and civilians in Maguindanao's second district.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=966046