Army corporal dies, 7 colleagues hurt in fresh Army-BIFF clashes
Local News • 19:58 PM Fri Feb 19, 2016
1,588
By:
Edwin Fernandez and Ferdinandh Cabrera
Soldiers view areas where the Army artillery landed in Datu Salibo, Maguindanao last week. (Ferdinandh Cabrera)
CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – An Army corporal was
killed and seven other soldiers were wounded as fighting continues between
government forces and outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in
Maguindanao, the Army here said today.
Capt. Joan Petinglay, 6th Infantry
Division spokesperson, said the slain Army corporal belonged to the 7th
Infantry Battalion, one of the composite forces, pursuing BIFF elements in
Barangay Tee, Datu Salibo Maguindanao.
She withheld the name of slain trooper until his
next of kin are fully informed.
The wounded are now undergoing treatment at Camp
Siongco Hospital.
Intense fighting have entered its 14th
day Thursday with the military using about 10 armored personnel carriers, 200
ground troops and two MG-attack helicopters.
Government forces are closing in on the lair of the
BIFF in Barangay Tee.
At 9:30 a.m. government forces swept through
marshland areas toward the location of BIFF forces but they were met with
improvised bombs planted by the guerrillas around its position.
Petinglay could not say if how many BIFF were killed
or injured during air strikes and ground offensives.
A public school was hit by a mortar which landed on
its roof and into one of the classrooms, destroying chairs and facilities.
Salim Maidu, principal of Pagatin Elementary School,
said the school was hit at about 10 p.m. on Wednesday night when fighting was
still raging. He could not say from whom was the mortar.
He said the Army assured him it was not from the
military because Army artillery fire was directed to the marshland and not on
civilian areas. The school is situated beside the Datu Saudi Ampatuan to Datu
Salibo highway.
We appeal to both sides to spare our school,” Maidu
told reporters.
Fighting resumed today, with government forces
moving forward toward the Liguasan marshland in Datu Salibo.
Construction of a flood control project had been put
on hold since February 5.
Abu Misri Mama, BIFF spokesperson, said since the
fighting began, his group only suffered one fighter dead and three
wounded. He claimed 12 soldiers were
killed and three tanks destroyed since fighting started.
Petinglay said two infantry men have been killed
since Feb. 5 and 12 soldiers wounded, including an Army captain.
Earlier, Petinglay appealed to the public to remain
vigilant as the BIFF brought the battle zone to civilian areas.
Four civilians,
including Datu Salibo town treasurer, were killed when the BIFF set off a
roadside bomb on Tuesday night.