COTABATO CITY—Gunmen belonging to the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) attacked soldiers who were trying to defuse a bomb strapped to a government bridge project in Maguindanao on Friday.
However, no casualty from either side had been reported in the incident and the ensuing clash.
Col. Felicisimo Budiongan, commander of the Army’s 1st Mechanized Brigade, said his men were trying to defuse a home-made bomb that suspected BIFF forces had planted on the bridge construction project in Barangay (village) Butalo in Datu Salibo town when they were attacked around 4 p.m.
Budiongan said the soldiers fired back and engaged the attackers in a brief firefight.
“We fired several rounds of mortars to drive the enemies away,” he said.
Abu Misri Mama, BIFF spokesperson, confirmed the attack and said it was part of their drive against the military in Maguindanao.
“We are continuing our campaign against them,” he said. RAM
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