Kato men owns up to attack near Cotabato school

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) opened fire with 40-mm grenade projectiles near a public school in North Cotabato’s Midsayap town Friday night, the group’s fourth attack in Central Mindanao in four days.

No one was reported killed or wounded in the attack, but the explosions sent dozens of villagers running for their lives.

The BIFF, through spokesman Abu Misry Mama, said the attack was in retaliation for the recent death of one of their members, whom soldiers arrested in Maguindanao for driving an unregistered motorcycle. The BIFF bandit was later found dead.

Mama, in an interview with Catholic station dxMS here, warned of more attacks, saying they would not allow what they consider as summary execution of their members.

Senior Superintendent Rudelio Jocson, Maguindanao police director and the public affairs chief of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division Col. Dickson Hermoso said they did not hear any report on any BIFF member who had been killed by soldiers.

The BIFF also claimed responsibility for  the recent raids on two  Army detachments and a roadside outpost also in this city.