MAGUINDANAO, Philippines – Three suspected members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) were killed while two Army soldiers were wounded in an encounter in Sharif Saidona town here yesterday morning, the military said.
The wounded soldiers, who belong to the Army’s 45th Infantry Battalion, were taken to an undisclosed hospital for treatment of gunshot wounds.
The Army’s 601st Infantry Division (ID) said the clash in Barangay Nabundas erupted when BIFF bandits attacked soldiers out to verify reports about the presence of armed men extorting from villagers in the area.
After two hours, the bandits retreated, carrying with them their dead companions whom village officials identified as Karim, Abdullah and Samsudin.
Army Capt. Jay Mani-wang, spokesperson for the 601st ID, said the bandits were led by “Commander Sanad” and a certain Bisaya, both known henchmen of BIFF founder Imam Ameril Ombra Kato.
Maniwang said the bandits retreated toward the border of Sharif Saidona and Datu Piang towns.