9 BIFF members killed in clash with Army

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines - Nine members of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) were killed in a series of firefights on Thursday with Army combatants in Barangay Paidu Pulangi in Pikit, North Cotabato.

Captain Tony Bulao, spokesman of the Army’s 602nd Brigade, said two soldiers were wounded in the ensuing encounters.

The hostilities erupted when BIFF bandits attacked an Army base in Sitio Mapagkaya in Paidu Pulangi.

Bulao, citing reports by barangay officials, said two of the slain bandits belong to a group led by Commander Eneg, who is based in Guindulungan, Maguindanao.

Responding combatants from the Army’s 7th Infantry Battalion and the 5th Special Forces Battalion managed to drive the bandits away from Barangay Paidu Pulangi using 105 Howitzer cannons and 81 millimeter mortars.

Seven bandits were killed when artillery shells landed near them while fleeing from the scene.

Local folks reported seeing BIFF bandits carrying more than a dozen wounded companions as they fled.

Bulao said they have also been receiving unverified feedback from informants confirming that five wounded BIFF bandits died while being evacuated by their companions to the border of Pikit, North Cotabato, and Datu Piang town in Maguindanao.

"We can't confirm those reports because we don't have actual body count," Bulao said.

The firefights in Paidu Pulangi was preceded by a 20 minute gunbattle between BIFF bandits and soldiers in Barangays Nabalawag and Kolambug, both in the same municipality last Dec. 31.