9 Moro rebels killed in series of clashes–Army

KIDAPAWAN CITY – At least nine Moro guerillas were killed in a series of clashes with government forces in the borders of North Cotabato and Maguindanao since December 31, the Army here reported Friday.

Capt. Antonio Bulao, spokesperson of the 602nd Infantry Brigade, said the latest fatalities were two Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, who were killed on January 1 during a rebel attack on a paramilitary outpost in Barangay Nabalawag in Pikit, North Cotabato.

“Our forces retaliated from sniper shots fired from the BIFF side, killing two of the attackers,” Bulao said.

A soldier was wounded in the 20-minute firefight that ensued, he added.

On Thursday, seven rebels were also killed during a clash with soldiers in Barangay Paidu Pulangi, also in Pikit, according to Bulao.

“They keep on harassing our forces,” Bulao said of the recent activities involving the breakaway Moro Islamic Liberation Front faction.

Abu Misry Mama, speaking for the BIFF, denied the military’s claim and maintained not a single BIFF fighter was hit by Army fire.

“We will continue to harass Army detachments until they leave the area,” Mama said in Filipino.

Bulao said the BIFF also attacked villages in Aleosan, Midsayap and Pikit, in North Cotabato since December 31.

These North Cotabato low-lying villages are separated by rivers with Datu Shariff Saydona, Maguindanao.  The BIFF used the river in fleeing back to Shariff Saydona.

The BIFF, headed by Ameril Ombra Kato, broke out of the MILF in 2008 over serious disagreements on the conduct of the peace process.