BIFF men kill soldier in Maguindanao

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines — An Army soldier was killed in a gun attack by members of the Dawlah Islamiya or Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Radjah Buayan town on Tuesday.

Pfc. Jerome Tahad of the 33rd Infantry Battalion (IB) and his colleagues were on their way to their command post in Barangay Zapakan after manning a quarantine checkpoint when they were attacked.

Tahad suffered multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene. His companions were unhurt.

In Datu Saudi town, Lt. Melvin Laguting, Datu Saudi police chief, said BIFF men attacked two detachments of the 57th IB in Barangays Elian and Salbo. 

No one was reported hurt among government troopers, but the attacks triggered panic among villagers.