(UPDATE) 2 soldiers wounded in BIFF attack

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) -Two soldiers were wounded in an attack by members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Maguindanao this morning, a military official said.

The 30 attackers were led by BIFF leaders Bisaya and Samad, said Deoreynojay Maniwang, a civil military operation officer of the Army's 601st Brigade.

Maniwang said the soldiers from the 45th Infantry Battalion were ambushed by the BIFF at around 8 a.m. while searching for improvised explosive devices in Shariff Saydona Mustapha town in Maguindanao, with two suffered minor injuries.

The casualties of BIFF has not been confirmed by the army.

Reinforcements have been deployed to the area to track down the rebels. "Additional reinforcements proceeded to the encounter site for pursuit operations," the official added.

The BIFF is composed of about 300 to 400 members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). President Aquino has signed a peace agreement with the MILF this March.