Soldier wounded in BIFF attacks

From the Manila Times (Nov 18): Soldier wounded in BIFF attacks

A government soldier was wounded as Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) bandits attacked an Army base and a school on Friday in Maguindanao.

The identity of the wounded soldier was withheld by the military, but said he is a member of the 57th Infantry Battalion which has been involved in fighting the BIFF in the province. One of its detachments in Barangay Timbangan in Shariff Aguak town came under attack with militants raining rockets and rifle grenades on the Army post.

Soldiers fought back but no reports of enemy casualties.

The assault came minutes ahead of another attack at the Gani Abpi College in Datu Unsay town. It was unclear why it was targeted by the BIFF, but soldiers were patrolling the town regularly.

Both Maguindanao Gov. Toto Mangudadatu and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Mujiv Hataman did not release a statement on the violence in the province where security forces are battling BIFF militants since early this week.

Most of the BIFF members were former fighters of the larger Moro Islamic Liberation Front who broke away and are opposed to peace talks with the government.

http://www.manilatimes.net/soldier-wounded-biff-attacks/363730/