AFP: 40 Moro rebels dead in Maguindanao clash

By: Bong Lozada - 11 years ago

MANILA, Philippines-After the encounter last Jan. 27 between government troops and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in Maguindanao, 40 rebels were confirmed killed in action, from Wednesday’s count of 38, the military said Thursday afternoon.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala, spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, apart from the 40 casualties from the runaway group from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, 12 others were wounded in action.

On the government side, however, one soldier was killed and 13 were wounded.

The lone casualty from the government side was still not named.

Despite the fighting, Colonel Dickson Hermoso, spokesman for the 6th Infantry Division, urged the BIFF to coordinate with local officials to treat their wounded.

“There were many wounded on their side, and I encourage them to coordinate with local officials to treat their wounded comrades,” Hermoso said. “This is for humanitarian consideration; they are still Filipinos after all.”

Zagala said that the fighting ensued when government troops entered the BIFF’s area of influence to stop the group’s atrocious actions.

Hermoso said that there are no new encounters, though members of the BIFF that they encountered have gone into smaller splinter groups.