BIFF member killed while fleeing from Maguindanao checkpoint

Soldiers of the 40th Infantry Battalion gunned down a Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters combatant after the latter attempted to flee from a militia checkpoint in Pandag, Maguindanao.

According to a Saturday statement from the Philippine military, Kaliga Usman Kamsa attempted to roar away from a Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit checkpoint in Barangay Malangit on a motorcycle.

"The blocking troops were to apprehend him but he resisted," explained Joint Task Force Central commander Major General Diosdado Carreon.

Kamsa's body, plus the two hand grenades found on his corpse, were turned over to the Pandag police for proper disposition.

Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, congratulated the troops for the successful operation.

"While we are continuously conducting focused military operations, we are encouraging the remaining combatants to surrender and avail of the government's livelihood programs prepared for them," Sobejana added. — Joahna Lei Casilao/DVM, GMA News