3 die, 5 hurt in Army, BIFF clashes in Maguindanao
Mindanao Armed Conflict • 06:30 AM Mon Nov 11, 2019
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By:
Edwin O. Fernandez
A farmer crosses an alternate bridge before the new permanent bridge was completed in Tukanalipao, Maguindanao. (file)
CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – A government soldier and two Moro rebels identified with ISIS were killed and five others were injured after clashes erupted between government forces and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) Saturday, the Army said today.
Major Arvin John Encinas, speaking for Western Mindanao Commmand, said the firefight erupted at 9 a.m. while soldiers of the 33rd Infantry Battalion were conducting foot patrols near Tukanalipao river in Barangay Tukanalipao, Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
Encinas said the BIFF believed to be under Abu Torayfe were positioned 300 meters away from the Tukanalipao river and traded shots with government forces.
The gunmen who pledge allegiance to ISIS and carrying black ISIS flags fled deep into the marshland when the military launched surgical artillery fire.
Slain on government side was Sgt. Randy Alivar who died while undergoing medication at the Army hospital.
Injured were Privates First Class Ruel Sumilhig and Allan James Cabildo, all of the 33rd Infantry Battalion.
Two BIFF were killed and three others were injured but carried by fleeing rebels, Encinas said, quoting reports from village officials.
The firefight that killed two BIFF rebels occurred not far from Tukanalipao river, site of the 2015 carnage of 44 PNP Special Action Force (SAF), according to Ismael Hashim, chairperson of Barangay Tukanalipao.
Government troops, led by Lt. Colonel Elmer Boongaling, 33rd IB commander, responded to reports from residents about BIFF massing in the tri-boundary of Tukanalipao, Tuka and Pedsandawan, all in Mamasapano town.
Hashim said all the residents of Barangay Tukanalipao have fled to adjacent villages for fear of getting caught in the crossfire.
The more than 450 families or 2,700 individuals are now in nearby villages.
In January 2015, an elite police force operation against bomb expert Malaysian Zulkifli bin Hir alias “Marwan,” resulted to the massacre of 44 members of PNP Special Action Force and 17 rebels and five civilians. (Edwin O. Fernandez)