Gov't troops kill 4 more BIFF men
MANILA, Philippines - Four members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters were killed during a series of fire-fights with government troops in Shariff Saydona, Maguindanao last Saturday night.
This brings the total number of killed BIFF members to 18 since Friday night, according to the military.
On the other hand, nine soldiers were wounded on separate attacks of the bandit group last Friday.
READ: Nine soldiers hurt in BIFF retaliatory attacks
According to a report, military troops were engaged with the group of Filipino terrorist Basit Usman.
"I sent a small-sized patrol composed of the 63rd Force Recon Company led by Capt. Bernardo and the Special Operations Platoon 8 led by 1st Lt. Duliquez to track down the 20-man group of Usman. My troops surprised the enemy and engaged them in a firefight," Marine Battalion Landing Team-8 commanding officer Lt. Col. Willy Manalang said.
The marines overwhelmed the bandits and forced them to flee after a 15-minute heavy fire-fight. A 60mm mortar and a US M-14 rifle were recovered from the bandits.
One of the dead BIFF members was wearing a Special Action Force uniform.
"I believe that these bandits were among those who butchered the members of the 55th SAC (Special Action Company) in Tukanalipao last January. Despite their crimes, we will turn them over to the community leaders to be given decent Islamic burial," Manalang explained.
A number of 44 police commandos were killed during a bloody encounter with the BIFF and Moro Islamic Liberation Front at Brgy. Tukalanipao in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last January 25. Some of the weapons and personal belongings of the commandos were said to have been taken by the bandits.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines recently launched an all-out offensive against the BIFF to protect communities affected by the group's attacks in Mindanao.
The military aims to end the assault this weekend to allow displaced residents in Maguindanao and Cotabato to return to their homes.
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