Last 9 teachers held by Moro rebels now free

Members of the breakaway Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) INQUIRER File Photo

KIDAPAWAN CITY, Philippines—The remaining nine teachers used by rebels of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters as human shields against government troops were freed at 1 a.m. Tuesday, officials said.

BIFF forces  mounted attacks in Midsayap, North Cotabato on Monday and initially took 13 teachers and pupils as hostages.

Colonel Dickson Hermoso, spokesperson of the 6th Infantry Division  in Maguindanao, said at least three soldiers and two civilians were killed in the violence that gripped Barangay Malingao on Monday. Seven BIFF gunmen were also killed in the clashes, he said.

Midsayap Mayor Romeo Araña said the nine teachers were abandoned by fleeing BIFF members at the fish-landing area of Barangay Malingao early Tuesday.

Hermoso said the gunmen had broken into smaller groups and were being pursued by soldiers.

Ruby Hiro, 39, one of the teachers of Malingao Elementary School whom the gunmen had earlier taken into custody, said the rebels entered the school at about 8 a.m. Monday and ordered the teachers and some pupils to stay.

Hiro said she and two other hostages managed to escape when civilians in the area hid them after the rebels brought them to the fish landing area on Monday.

Hermoso said on Tuesday that government forces had also retrieved the remains of the two civilians executed by BIFF gunmen.

Araña said one of the victims, Ricarte Junio, was beheaded by the rebels.

North Cotabato Governor Emmylou Mendoza said about 2,000 families were displaced by the violence and were being assisted by social workers.

In Mlang, North Cotabato, BIFF rebels led by Sukarno Hussain and Brudy Sultan, stormed a banana plantation owned by Del Monte Philippines on Tuesday.

Inspector Rolando Dillera, the town’s chief of police, said security guards, backed by policemen from Mlang and nearby Tulunan town, engaged the rebels in a heavy firefight and fighting as of 11 a.m.

Mlang Mayor Joselito Piñol said one casualty was reported but he could not ascertain if it was on the government or the BIFF side as operations against the rebels were continuing.

RELATED STORY

4 teachers, child flee from BIFF rebels in North Cotabato