BIFF members in disguise kill Army intel officer

COTABATO CITY, Philippines - Members of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) disguised as peasants shot dead on Monday a senior intelligence officer of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division in Datu Saudi, Maguindanao, the fourth soldier killed the same way since September.

Initial reports reaching the office of Gov. Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) said the slain officer, Army Major Gerald Finsona, died on the spot from gunshot wounds sustained in the attack.

Three off duty soldiers were separately killed in earlier attacks by roving BIFF hitmen in Datu Piang and Salibo towns, both in Maguindanao, a component province of ARMM.

Highly placed sources from the Army’s 6th Infantry Division said efforts are now underway to inform the family of Finsona of his demise.

A subordinate of Finsona was wounded in the attack and is now undergoing medication at a hospital.

The spokesman of BIFF, Abu Misry Mama, warned of more assassination of soldiers if spotted by guerillas positioned in markets and public terminals.

Hataman said he has directed ARMM’s police director, Chief Superintendent Noel Delos Reyes, to deploy more policemen in areas vulnerable to BIFF incursions.