5 MILF men killed in clash with BIFF gunmen

Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao (Google)

COTABATO CITY – Five members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) were killed and five others, including a civilian, were injured in a clash with gunmen belonging to the Islamic State-allied Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Datu Salibo, Maguindanao Friday dawn, the police said.

Senior Supt. Agustin Tello, the Maguindanao police provincial director, said the clash erupted at about 5 a.m. when MILF forces, belonging to MILF Task Force Ittihad (Unity) discovered BIFF members planting an improvised explosive device in Sitio Digadeng, Barangay Tee.

A civilian minor was injured when hit in the crossfire, Tello said, quoting a report from the Datu Salibo municipal police station.

Killed were MILF fighters Mahmod Laguiab, Darigs Kendag, Kuzak Ali, Anwar Maulana and Kalidin Ulama, all task force Ittihad members.

The injured MILF members were identified as Batinti Sabidra, Kunyang Guiama, Nasir Talib and Jery Buka, also task force Ittihad members.

Fighting between the MILF’s 108th base command and the BIFF erupted two weeks ago when the IS-inspired group set off an improvised bomb in Barangay Tee that injured 10 MILF fighters. The MILF retaliated and sporadic fighting continued to date.

Since the clashes began, 10 MILF and 20 BIFF gunmen had been killed.

Tello said fighting in Barangay Tee is still going on as of late afternoon Friday.