12 BIFF killed in Maguindanao clashes, says military

Twelve members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters were killed in a series of clashes in the municipality of Shariff Saydona Mustapha in Maguindanao, a regional  military spokesperson said Tuesday.

Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Gerry Besana said the BIFF members under Commander Bungos were killed last Sunday at Sitio Pandan and Sitio Mungkas in Barangay Malingao.

The BIFF militants killed were identified as Basir Alon, Nurdin Kalun, Kemi Jainudin, Wahed Anuwar, Bensar Ali, Arapat Gemal while the two militants killed at Sitio Mungka were identified as Bedo Gamadil and Wari Brahim.

Those killed in another clash on Monday night at Sitio Bulod in Barangay Malingao were identified as Bakar Seral and Tato Menta. Two unidentified members of Abu Turaiffe group and Karialan faction were also killed in the firefight.

There were also nine wounded BIFF militants under the groups of Abu Turaiffe and Sukarno Sapal.

Three government troops, meanwhile, were reported to have been wounded following the clashes.

Philippine Army's 6th Infantry Division chief and concurrent commander of Joint Task Force Central Brigadier General Cirilito Sobejana Jr. said the BIFF are losing their ground as the government forces are "determined to flush them out wherever they made hide."

"We will go after the bandits to safeguard the civilians and put an end to this menace of society. For as long as they still exist, I will not stop, it will continue," Sobejana was quoted as saying in a press release.

"We are doing our best effort to put a rapid conclusion to this problem, because the more we prolong it, the more it prolongs the agony of many civilians in Maguindanao," he added.

Around 57 BIFF militants were killed while 40 others were wounded since May. Three militants were also captured while another three BIFF members have surrendered to government troops.

Besana said that pursuit operations are still being conducted in order to "thwart the extrication of the enemies."The military are also utilizing aerial and land assets to track down other BIFF members who have fled. — RSJ, GMA News