MAGUINDANAO, Philippines – The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) yesterday claimed responsibility for a series of attacks on Army troops including an attempt to bomb a military detachment here in the past three days.
Abu Misry Mama, BIFF spokesman, said the attacks were in retaliation for the military offensives two weeks ago at the border of Pikit, North Cotabato and Datu Piang towns.
“There will be a counter-attack for every attack by the military,” Mama told journalists.
Capt. Joan Petinglay, public affairs chief of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said military units in Maguindanao have tightened security against BIFF bandits.
Three soldiers were wounded when a group of bandits on Friday night fired assault rifles and 40-millimeter grenade projectiles on an Army detachment in Mamasapano town.
The soldiers returned fire, prompting the bandits to retreat, taking with them their wounded companions.
Two more Army soldiers were wounded in another BIFF attack in Datu Saudi town Saturday night.
Another group of BIFF bandits on Sunday night attempted to set off fragmentation grenades near an Army outpost in Datu Salibo town.