Gov’t troops, BIFF members clash in Maguindanao

DAVAO CITY—After a few days of lull in fighting, government forces and rebels clashed again in the town of Datu Salibo in Maguindanao on Tuesday morning.

Capt. Jo-Ann Petinglay, spokesperson of the military’s 6th Infantry Division, said military troops were conducting security operations in Sitio Balas in the village of Tee when they were attacked by members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) at around 10:20 in the morning.

“The soldiers were harassed by more or less 30 fully armed BIFF members that prompted the troops to return fire,” Petinglay said.

BIFF spokesperson Abu Misri Mama confirmed the attack, saying that there would be no letup in their attacks if the soldiers would continue “intruding” their territory.

“The attack was initiated by our members in the area,” Mama said.

The firefight lasted for about 40 minutes until the rebels withdrew.

Petinglay said there were no reported casualties on both sides.

The BIFF was created by former Moro Islamic Liberation Front commanders who left the organization after a series of serious disagreements on the conduct of the peace negotiations with the government. RC