Soldiers repel BIFF attempt to take over camp

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines - Soldiers on Thursday foiled again an attempt by members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) to take over an Army detachment in Barangay Damabalas in Datu Piang town.

Col. Dickson Hermoso, spokesman of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said the bandits fired anti-tank rockets and assault rifles at the position of the 62nd Division Reconnaissance Company from two directions, provoking a 30-minute firefight.

The bandits scampered away after sensing they could not breach through the defense perimeters of the detachment.

Barangay folks reported seeing three wounded bandits being carried away from the scene by their fleeing companions.

“No one was reported hurt on our side but the incident again caused panic among local residents,” Hermoso said.

The latest BIFF attack at Barangay Damabalas was the seventh in the past six weeks.

The adjoining Barangays Damabalas and Ganta in Sharif Saidona town, also in Maguindanao, were BIFF strongholds, which soldiers cleared and occupied after a two-day offensive last January.

“It is obvious they want to regain control of these two neighboring barangays," Hermoso said.