AFP: No tribe members left in battle zone

Teduray evacuees receive aid from the government. —EDWIN FERNANDEZ

CAMP SIONGCO, MAGUINDANAO—The military disputed reports that members of the Teduray tribe were still trapped on Mt. Firis as the government on Thursday launched artillery and air strikes to flush out Islamic State-inspired gunmen there.

“As far as the Army is concerned, no civilians were trapped, they have already evacuated during the early days of conflict,” Capt. Arvin John Encinas, spokesperson for the 6th Infantry Division (ID), said on Friday.

But Fatima Kanakan, the head of the Office of Southern Cultural Communities in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, maintained on Friday that up to 1,400 individuals remained in Sitio Bagong in Barangay Maitumaig in Datu Unsay town; and Sitio Kiyamko in Barangay Kambingi in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town.

She said the figure was relayed by those who had earlier fled the areas affected by military offensives against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

Kanakan said she had not received updates on the situation of people remaining in Teduray communities.

Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu also said he was told by the police that no more civilians were left on Mt. Firis, as residents moved to evacuation centers.

Maj. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, the 6th ID commander, said he had ordered the artillery offensives and air attacks by helicopter gunships after 70 BIFF fighters attacked a detachment of the 57th Infantry Battalion in Sitio Perez in Barangay Maitumaig on Thursday.

“We are not letting our guard down; we will use all our resources to finish them off,” Dela Vega said.

Soldiers on board military trucks were seen heading toward the adjoining towns of Datu Unsay, Datu Saudi and Datu Hofer on Friday.

Encinas did not say if the air strikes and artillery fire had resulted in casualties on the side of the BIFF, led by Esmail Abubakar alias Commander Bungos. —EDWIN FERNANDEZ