BIFF bandits seize trader’s son

NORTH COTABATO , Philippines   â€“ Police were pursuing Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) bandits who seized a 19-year-old son of a trader in Midsayap town this province Saturday night.

Local officials are convinced the bandits snatched Mark Anthony Baya to divert the attention of soldiers running after them in Aleosan and Pikit towns.

Soldiers have killed four bandits and wounded seven others in a “calibrated police action” against BIFF forces that tried to get near a portion of the Cotabato-Davao Highway that connects Aleosan and Pikit.