8 BIFF bandits killed in clash

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines – Eight suspected members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) were killed in a gunfight with government troops after the bandits hijacked a petroleum tanker and a cargo truck in Guindulungan yesterday.

Five of the eight BIFF bandits were identified as Kamad Karok, Bro Bambalan, Iskak Kudto, Kidsel Manedsel and Sadam Samama.

Local officials confirmed eight other BIFF bandits were wounded by government troops trying to rescue the drivers of the hijacked vehicles.

One of the drivers, Edgardo Gamalo, was wounded in the firefight, while Fitzgerald Mallorca was unharmed.

The two drivers managed to escape from the bandits and sought help from a nearby detachment of militiamen along the highway.

The bandits tried to chase Mallorca and Gamalo but they were engaged by armed militiamen and responding government troops, triggering the one-hour gunfight.

The military said the BIFF bandits blockaded a portion of the Cotabato-General Santos Highway going through Guindulungan. The bandits hijacked the trucks and set up several improvised explosive devices (IEDs) along the road.

“It took some time for our soldiers to reopen the highway because of extensive clearing of the thoroughfare of explosive devices set by the bandits,” Col. Dickson Hermoso, spokesman of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said.

One of the bombs the bandits planted along the highway exploded prematurely, killing one of the bandits, officials said.

Local officials also said the IEDs were intended to harass the transport operators who refuse to pay protection money to the bandit group.

“Pursuit operations resulted in the killing of three members of the armed lawless group and the recovery of an M16 and M653 rifles. The driver and helper of the ambushed oil tanker survived the attack and were able to seek refuge at a nearby Army outpost,” Hermoso said.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said the military would continue to meet the BIFF with force and protect the community from the bandits. –  Jaime Laude, Jose Rodel Clapano