Death toll in BIFF Central Mindanao attacks now 13

At least nine civilians have been killed in the series of attacks launched by suspected members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Central Mindanao, police and military officials said.

The death toll due to the attacks was at 13 as of Friday afternoon, with four of the fatalities from the BIFF, a breakaway faction of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) that is opposed to the peace agreement with the government.

One of the fatalities was barangay kagawad Robert Latosa, who was killed after a faction of the BIFF led by a certain Commander Abonawas threw a bomb in his store at Barangay Simsiman, Pigcawayan, North Cotabato, on Thursday night.

Superintendent Bernard Tayong, the Cotabato Police Provincial Office (CPPO) spokesperson, said before leaving the place, the attackers burned the store and carted away the bag owned by Latosa's wife containing at least P40, 000 in cash.

The same BIFF faction also used as human shield from the military the residents of Barangay Simsiman who were attending the Misa de Gallo in their chapel.

The BIFF also attacked a CAFGU detachment in Barangay Dapiawan, Datu Salibu, in Maguindanao.

The 33rd Infantry Battalion spent Christmas Day in the battlefield in Datu Abdullah Sangki in Maguindanao after receiving reports that the BIFF will attack Christian-dominated communities.

At 5 a.m. on Thursday, five farmers who were about to spray pesticide in the rice filed were also killed by the BIFF.

Lt. Col. Ricky Bunayog, the commanding officer of 33rd Infantry Battalion, said they had difficulty in recovering the dead because improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were planted in the bodies.

"Mayroon talaga siguro isa sa mga major commanders sa BIFF na namatay kaya ganun sila ka brutal...It took us time to recover the dead bodies kasi nga dahil sa mga itinanim na IEDs," said Bunayog

The kin of the victims said those who were killed by the BIFF were in the rice fields to earn money for their Noche Buena.

"Sa mga Christian area,' di na kami umaasa ng hustisya, ang totoo sir mga magsasaka talaga yun, hindi sila mga CAFGU," said Rene Demo, an uncle of one of the victims.

BIFF spokesman Abu Misry Mama earlier said that they killed CAFGU members and not civilian farmers as claimed by the military.

North Cotabato Governor Emmylou Talino-Mendoza, meanwhile, urged the police to be on alert and secure the civilians amid the attacks.  —Kathrina Charmaine Alvarez and Williamor Magbanua/KBK, GMA News