Troops locked in heavy fighting with BIFF

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines – Government troops are locked in heavy fighting with the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in five areas in Maguindanao’s adjoining towns of Datu Saudi and Datu Unsay.

Hostilities started along portions of the Cotabato-General Santos Highway straddling the two towns when the BIFF opened fire on soldiers sent to verify reports from Moro residents that gunmen were converging in different areas as if preparing to attack.

The BIFF then blockaded stretches of the highway to divert Army soldiers and Marines pursuing suspected coddlers of terrorist bomber Abdul Basit Usman. – John Unson, Roel Pareño, Edith Regalado, Perseus Echeminada, Alexis Romero, Jaime Laude