BIFF rebel killed, 1 injured in clash with MILF fighters in Maguindanao – Army

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – At least one person was killed following a brief firefight between Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) gunmen in the Maguindanao, the military reported Tuesday.

Capt. Jo-anne Petinglay, spokesperson of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said the clash took place in a village bordering Pagalungan and Sultan sa Barongis town around 5:20 p.m. Monday.

MILF rebels under Commander Falcon of the MILF’s 108th Base Command had apparently tracked down the BIFF gunmen under Commander Gani, sparking a 30-minute firefight.

One of Gani’s men was slain and another BIFF fighter was injured, she said.

MILF members and BIFF gunmen regularly clash in Maguindanao and nearby areas.

Last week, MILF forces and BIFF gunmen also traded shots in Barangay Kabasalan in Pikit, North Cotabato although no one was injured.

The Kabasalan clash was the offshoot of a feud between Commander Jack Abas of the MILF and the BIFF’s Kagi Karialan.

Von Al Haq, MILF military chief, said Karialan’s group appeared to be on the move following the Mamasapano clash and their arrival in Kabasalan might have been aimed at seeking refuge from possible government retaliation in connection with the January 25 clash in Mamasapano, during which, 44 elite policemen were killed.