BIFF's IED killed pregnant woman in Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao, military says

An improvised explosive device of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) killed the pregnant woman in Barangay Pusao, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao on Tuesday night, the military clarified on Wednesday. 

In a phone interview with GMA News Online, Philippine Army 6th Infantry Division spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Anhouvic Atilano said government forces received information about the presence of suspected BIFF members in Datu Salibo. 

The troops then conducted a fire mission against at least 20 BIFF members past 10 in the evening. 

According to Atilano, explosions were heard after the troops' fire mission. The military official claimed that the blast was caused by BIFF members. 

"Kagabi kasi at around mga 10:20 kagabi, nagkaroon ng fire mission doon sa may sighted na mga BIFF dito sa Barangay Kabinayan, Datu Salibo municipality. Nagkaroon tayo ng artillery fires doon sa Barangay Kabinayan na may sighted na mga less than 20 na BIFF led by Commander Motorola," Atilano said, adding that the group was the same men who attacked Datu Piang in Maguindanao early this month. 

"Nagpaputok tayo ng 105 Howitzers, eight rounds ito ng 105 Howitzers targeting itong mga sighted na BIFF. Now mga 10:30 nag-stop na tayo ng paputok. After niyan may pumutok pa, may narinig na mga putok so ang suspect namin, sinabayan ito ng putok ng mga BIFF, 'yung putok natin," he added. 

Atilano mentioned that Datu Salibo, the target area, was just 1.1 kilometers away from Shariff Saydona Mustapha. He noted that upon checking, the BIFF's IED was the one that hit and killed the pregnant woman. 

"'Yun nga may natamaan na itong sa lugar na may nadisgrasyang babae," Atilano said. 

"So, noong chineck din kanina, based sa mga pictures... Sumabay ng putok 'yung BIFF kaya't doon tumama 'yung ano, ang suspect namin IED nila ito eh. Based doon sa impact area, ng splinter ng tama doon sa pictures na nakuha natin, kung saan tumama," he added. 

The victim, identified as Rabiyah Damada Lakim, was hit in the neck as the IED exploded just as they were evacuating, her brother-in-law Mursid Mamolintao said.

She died before reaching the hospital.

The incident came after more or less 50 BIFF and Dawlah Islamiya members attacked Datu Piang on the evening of December 3. Police have already filed criminal complaints against the local terrorists. 

According to Atilano, these incidents happened because the BIFF keeps harassing the military detachment in the area, especially at night. To address this, he said the military has already intensified its patrols. 

"These things are happening kasi hina-harass 'yung detachment natin. Ang ginagawa natin nag-increase tayo ng mga patrols para ma-prevent 'yung paglapit nitong nangha-harass sa detachment natin para maiwasan din 'yung mga civilian," Atilano said. 

Atilano also called on the public to report to authorities the presence of BIFF members in the area and their planned attacks. —KG, GMA News