BIFF member killed, militia hurt in Maguindanao clash —military

A suspected member of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) was killed in an encounter with government forces in Datu Hoffer, Maguindanao on Wednesday, the Western Mindanao Command said Thursday.

A WestMinCom official said troops from the Limpongo Patrol Base were conducting checkpoint operations in Barangay Limpongo when they encountered more or less 10 BIFF members.

The 45-minute gun battle resulted in the death one BIFF member and left a member of the Civilian Armed Auxiliary (CAA) wounded.

WestMinCom identified the slain BIFF member as Nasser Kandao. Troops recovered his body at the encounter site and later turned it over to the Datu Hoffer Municipal Police Station.

Meanwhile, the wounded CAA member was rushed to the hospital for medical treatment.

Troops also recovered one M16 rifle, one XRM motorcycle, and two short magazines at the scene of the encounter. 

Colonel Ferdinand Lacadin, officer-in-charge of the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade, ordered troops to conduct combat patrol along Ampatuan and Shariff Aguak National Highway as well as to establish blockade on the possible enemy withdrawal routes. —LBG, GMA News