Elite Army officer, 3 soldiers killed in clash with BIFF

COTABATO CITY — At least four soldiers, including a Scout Ranger captain, were killed as military operations continued in Maguindanao, the military here said.

Capt. Jo-ann Petinglay, 6th Infantry Division spokesperson, confirmed the military fatalities but refused to identify them until their first of kin are officially informed.

The military also refused to say when and how the soldiers were killed.

But local officials confirmed the death of a Scout Ranger captain belonging to 6th Scout Ranger Company and the three soldiers from the 33rd Infantry Battalion after they clashed with about 100 Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) rebels in the borders of Mamasapano, Datu Piang and Shariff Saydona.

A military report identified the slain officer as the executive officer of the scout ranger company, while the ranks of the other soldiers ranged from private first class and corporal.

According to the report, two BIFF fighters were also killed in the clash that began Saturday morning and ended Sunday noon.

A mortar and two M14 rifles were reportedly recovered from the BIFF.

On Sunday, Petinglay said at least 10 BIFF members were killed in Barangay Pusao, Mamasapano, Maguindanao.  One of the four was wearing a SAF uniform, indicating he could be involved in a clash with police commandos the January 25 encounter that left 44 elite policemen dead.

Petinglay said the law enforcement operation is now focused within the so-called SPMS box.

This area is within the towns of Shariff Aguak, Pagatin (Datu Saudi), Mamasapano and Shariff Saydona.

“Our troops on the ground are encircling this area, soon we will neutralize them (BIFF),” she said.

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