2 BIFF men, Abu bandit slain in Maguindanao, Basilan

MAGUINDANAO , Philippines — Two followers of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters leader Abu Toraife were killed in a military offensive in Shariff Saidona Mustapha before dawn yesterday.

Community leaders identified the fatalities as Salem Ansao and Mudin Ramla.

Lt. Col. John Paul Baldomar, spokesman for the 6th Infantry Division, said the operation was launched to preempt Toraife’s group from conducting terrorist attacks anywhere in Maguindanao.

Toraife is facing more than 30 criminal charges in various courts in Central Mindanao for bomb attacks since 2015.

Last month, BIFF bandits intruded into farming enclaves in Datu Saudi, resulting in clashes with the military, leaving more than 3,000 families displaced.

In Basilan, an Abu Sayyaf bandit wanted for the murder of a military officer in 2014 was killed while two Special Action Force commandos were wounded in an encounter in Lantawan yesterday.

Poloy Hallang was killed while his two brothers managed to escape, Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., Western Mindanao Command chief, said.

Vinluan said government troopers were supposed to serve an arrest warrant when they were fired at. – Roel Pareño, Emmanuel Tupas