8 killed, 3 teachers held in North Cotabato clashes

MANILA, Philippines – Four soldiers were killed and one was wounded in the clashes in North Cotabato Monday morning.

Suspected members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters harassed adjacent villages in Malingao and Polomoguen in Midsayap town at about 7 a.m., said Captain Anthony Bulao, spokesman of 602nd Brigade based in North Cotabato.

The armed group took three school teachers from Malingao Elementary School as hostages.

Early Monday, an encounter also transpired in Rangaban village between the BIFF and militiamen.

Meanwhile, Colonel Dickson Hermoso, spokesperson of the Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said that villagers saw four BIFF killed and were carried by their comrades.