1 wounded as soldiers, BIFF rebels clash anew Tuesday in North Cotabato
Ameril Umbra Kato, right, the commander of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, the breakaway faction of the largest Filipino Muslim rebel group, leads his men in prayers inside his rebel stronghold in Maguindanao. AP FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—One civilian was wounded when government troops clashed again Tuesday morning with members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in North Cotabato. The BIFF is a breakaway group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
First Lieutenant Nasrullah Sema, Civil Military Operations officer of the Army’s 57th Infantry Battalion, identified the wounded person as Renato Niwane, a security employee of a fruit plantation in Dungos village in Tulunan town. Niwane was taken to Amas Provincial Hospital in Kidapawan.
The military battled with up to 200 BIFF men in three separate clashes in Dungos town.
The BIFF first mounted an attack on the Delinanas Development Corp. of the Del Monte plantation past 7 a.m., reportedly led by commanders identified only as Tisok, Gani, Ricky and Brudy.
The second clash transpired past 9 a.m. in Sitio (settlement) Pedtad and lasted for 30 minutes before the rebels withdrew.
Later around 11 a.m. troops encountered BIFF rebels led by Sukarno Kusain in Sitio Mangko.
Article continues after this advertisementNo casualties were recorded in the government side while the BIFF casualties could not be determined.
Article continues after this advertisementSema also said that some residents were evacuated in the affected areas.
He said that it was possible that the motive for the attacks was land conflict.
Pursuit operations were ongoing and the military extended defensive positions in the village, Sema said.
The Moro gunmen also attacked Midsayap on Monday. At least nine people were killed.
Related story: Last 9 teachers held by Moro rebels now free
Like the Moro National Liberation Front, the BIFF is opposed to both to the ongoing government peace talks with the 12,000-strong MILF.
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Originally posted: 12:31 pm | Tuesday, September 24th, 2013
