BIFF denies role in Maguindanao ambush that killed 3

Members of the breakaway Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF). AFP FILE PHOTO

COTABATO CITY, Philippines—The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) denied it was behind Friday’s ambush that killed three civilians in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao.

Earlier, the military’s 6th Infantry Division based in Datu Odin Sinsuat town in the same province said that the gunmen that fired on a Toyota Corolla past 7 p.m. were suspected to be BIFF members.

The BIFF, composed of former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members, operates in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, according to authorities.

Capt. Joanne Petinglay, chief of the 6th Infantry Division public affairs unit, said the ambush took place near the Datu Pendililang Elementary School in Barangay Lower Salbu.

The victims, who remained unidentified at the Maguindanao provincial hospital, were headed for Datu Piang town in a Toyota Corolla with license plate number TEM-896. The car was registered to a Raniel Joson of Ulas, Davao City.

Petinglay said the victims—two men and a woman—died of multiple gunshot wounds as two gunmen fired on the vehicle, using M-16 rifles and handguns.

Abu Misry Mama, speaking for the BIFF, denied his group’s involvement in the ambush.

BIFF does not attack civilians, according to Mama.

Last month, an Army major and two others were also killed along the same highway linking Datu Saudi Ampatuan and Datu Piang towns.

The BIFF, through Mama, had claimed responsibility for the ambush.

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