Gov’t forces, BIFF clash in North Cotabato

MANILA, Philippines - Heavy fighting erupted yesterday between government security forces and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in North Cotabato as the bandit group occupied two villages in Aleosan and Pikit towns, forcing hundreds to flee their homes.

Two suspected BIFF gunmen identified only as Sanday and Dimasangkay were killed while two soldiers, identified as Army Sergeants Greg Sarte and Alexis Amando were wounded during the fighting.

Maj. Gen. Romeo Gapuz said as many as five BIFF gunmen were killed during the clashes, citing intelligence reports.

Aleosan Mayor Loreto Cabaya said some 350 families were forced to abandon their homes at Barangay Tabangan during the clashes.

“The same number of evacuees or even more have also left their homes in Pikit and are now staying in Poblacion Pikit to escape the fighting,” Cabaya said.

Since morning and until yesterday afternoon, Cabaya said Army troops have been pounding the BIFF positions with mortar while ground fighting has been taking place about three kilometers from the highway.

“The ultimate goal of the troops is to defend the highway (Cotabato-Davao Highway) from (Ameril Umbra) Kato’s men (BIFF),” Cabaya said.

The clashes started at about 8 a.m. yesterday when troops led by Army 1Lt. Dexter Magbitang were dispatched to check on the reported presence of armed men at Sitio Tubak, Barangay Tabangan and at the nearby Sitio Quarry, Nalapaan in Pikit town.

The BIFF reportedly attacked the Army team, triggering the firefight.

The fighting in Aleosan and Pikit occurred an hour after a separate encounter between government troops and the BIFF in nearby Libak town.

The fighting erupted just as Army and police bomb experts safely deactivated an improvised explosive device the BIFF planted along the provincial road connecting the towns of Datu Odin Sinsuat and North Upi, both in Maguindanao.

Regional military spokesman Col. Dickson Hermoso said troops from the Army’s 40th and 7th Infantry Battalions have been deployed to deal with the BIFF, which according to field military sources, are being led by Commanders Bulldog and Omar Salaban.