Cops repulse BIFF attack on Maguindanao town police station

SHARIFF AGUAK, Maguindanao–Policemen in Datu Salibo town have repulsed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) gunmen, who tried to gain control of the police station there on Wednesday evening, the Maguindanao police said on Thursday.

At least 10 heavily-armed BIFF gunmen initially fired an M-79 grenade, Maguindanao police director Senior Supt. Agustin Tello said.

The grenade exploded just outside Datu Salibo’s police station in Barangay Sambolawan, around 7 p.m.

As the grenade landed and exploded in front of the police office, the gunmen opened fire using assault rifles in an attempt to neutralize the police personnel inside, according to Tello.

It was not clear how many policemen were manning Datu Salibo’s police station at the time of the attack.

But Tello said the policemen engaged the attackers in a 45-minute firefight.

The BIFF gunmen only fled when they sensed that soldiers from the 57th Infantry Battalion, who rushed to the rescue of the embattled policemen, were already nearing town.

No casualty had been reported from either side, he said.

Tello said initial investigation showed that the attempt to take over the Datu Salibo police station, which is near the Maguindanao highway, was perpetrated by BIFF gunmen under Kagi Karialan.