Soldier killed in Maguindanao assault

MANILA, Philippines — A soldier was killed on Monday during ground and airstrikes targeting the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Maguindanao, the military said.

“Namatayan na kami ng isa, pero tuloy tuloy pa rin yung exchange of fire (We already lost one soldier but the exchange of fire continues),” Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen Cirilito Sobejana told reporters.

The slain sergeant, who was killed by sniper fire, was not immediately identified pending notification of his next of kin.

“It started with a bomb run followed by rockets from our MG-520 then indirect fires from howitzers, then a demonstration of air power and ground maneuver,” Sobejana said.

The bomb runs were carried out in Barangay Inaladan in Shariff Saydona town early Monday shortly before 6 a.m.

Sobejana said BIFF leaders Abu Turaife and Salahudin Hassan and the foreign terrorist Mauwiyah were believed to be present in the area.

On the BIFF side, two were reportedly killed, and six were wounded, he added. /ee