17 BIFF men killed, 9 civilians injured in Maguindanao clash

Members of the breakaway Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF). AFP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters clashed with troops from the Philippine Army in Maguindanao on Monday leaving 17 rebels dead.

Colonel Dickson Hermoso, spokesman of the 6th Infantry Division, said Tuesday afternoon that the government side suffered one fatality and three injuries.

He added that they were able to identify five of the 17 rebels who were killed in the firefight in Barangay (village) Damabalas in Datu Piang, Maguindanao with the 31st and 32nd Reconnaissance Companies of the 6th Infantry Division.

“It’s harassment perpetrated by the BIFF against our troops,” Hermoso said.

Hermoso identified the five dead rebels as Dris Salik, Mashud Ali, Nur Hassan, Mantawil Kaliga and one person known as “City Hunter” who was believed to be the right-hand man of Ameril Umbra Kato.

Also, the Office of Civil Defense in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao said that nine civilians were injured after a mortar shelling in Barangay Pinditen.

According to the OCD-ARMM, the wounded civilians were Kingao Omar, 40, Mohamidin Omar, 19, Max Giandal, 26, Ori Akmad, 27, Sadiya Akmad, 27, Esmael Pendatu, 26, Sadiali Guiandal, 35, Bohari Pilot, 27, Raida Omar, 18.

They were brought to CRMC hospital for immediate treatment.

Hermoso added that the two recon companies were tasked to secure the communities in Barangay Ganta, Sharif Saydona Mustapha, Damablas, Datu Piang.

Also, the 6th ID is still verifying the other 12 rebels who died in the firefight as “they were hastily buried by their comrades” after the encounter.

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