(UPDATE) At least 9 soldiers wounded in Maguindanao encounters

ZAMBOQNGA CITY, Philippines (Xinhua) - At least nine soldiers were wounded Friday afternoon in encounters as government forces try to meet deadline to flush out the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter (BIFF) in Maguindanao areas, the military said today.

Joselito Kakilala, spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said fighting raged in the quadri-boundaries of four towns of Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Talayan, Datu Salibo and Datu Piang about 2 p.m.

"Troops from Joont Task Group Central were engaged in the different areas within the operational area against the BIFF militants," Kakilala said.

The fighting raged until dawn Saturday and troops were on clearing operation, Kakilala said.

"Troops suffered nine wounded in action who mostly incurred minor injuries and were immediately evacuated to nearby medical facilities," he said.

The BIFF is the armed wing of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement which broke away from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front ( MILF) in 2010 because of disagreements over the peace talks with the government.