3 dead in new bandit attacks in Maguindanao

COTABATO CITY, Philippines  – Suspected members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFM) gunned down two security guards and an Army intelligence agent in fresh attacks in two Maguindanao towns in the past two days that also left five others wounded.

Genuine Kamaong, acting mayor of Maguindanao’s Datu Piang town, said the bandits first attacked Barangay Magaslong, forcing hundreds of ethnic families to evacuate.

The bandits, who wore black ski masks, then raided a safe house of the Army intelligence team of the 45th Infantry Battalion (IB) also in Barangay Magaslong.

Pfc. Roger Warde died on the spot while his companion Cpl. Edison Medina was wounded.

Members of the 45th IB led the operation to drive away BIFM bandits led by Ameril Umbra Kato, who have been raiding villages in Maguindanao’s adjoining Shariff Aguak, Datu Unsay, Datu Saudi, Datu Hofer and Guindulungan towns since Aug. 5.

 The group was also believed to be behind three explosions that rocked North Cotabato and Maguindanao last Friday.

Members of the BIFM also ambushed a group of security guards escorting a convoy of trucks carrying shipping containers filled with Cavendish bananas in Barangay Alip in Datu Paglas town.

Deodemar Barbosa and Moises Catalan, who are employees of the Columbia Security Agency, suffered gunshot wounds in different parts of the body.

The chief of the security agency, Rogelio Ladio, and three farm workers – Ronald Benzon, Allan Tanalgo and Carlos Chavez – were wounded in the attack.

As this developed, the Commission on Human Rights urged the BIFM to stop its atrocities and talk peace with the government.

 “Our appeal to them is to stop the violence. They are the aggressors because they are the ones shooting at the Armed Forces,” Rosales told reporters at Camp Aguinaldo.

“They should be open to dialogue just like the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front). All of us want peace and development especially for the Bangsamoro people,” she added. 

Rosales said civilians, especially indigenous peoples, are suffering because of the continued clashes between the bandits and the soldiers. She said at least 27,000 persons or 5,000 families have been displaced by recent attacks in Maguindanao.

She said the government should also send relief teams to help the displaced civilians. – With Alexis Romero