Soldier killed in Maguindanao del Sur BIFF attack

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — A soldier was killed while two others were wounded when members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters fired at soldiers in Datu Hoffer, Maguindanao del Sur on Friday.

The fatality, Pfc. Jomar Saladar, and Sgt. Allan Rey Estanda and Pvt. Carla Araña, who were wounded, belong to the Army’s 40th Infantry Battalion.

Maj. Gen. Roy Galido, 6th Infantry Division commander, said the soldiers were tasked to monitor the water level in a river under a bridge connecting the Cotabato-Isulan Highway in Barangay Labu-Labu II in Datu Hofer town when they were attacked.

He said the soldiers were also deployed in the area to secure heavy equipment being used in the repair of the bridge, which was damaged by rampaging floodwaters amid heavy rain spawned by Severe Tropical Storm Paeng last week.

Meanwhile, bomb experts deactivated two improvised bombs found near the entrance of the Mindanao State University in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte yesterday.

Probers have yet to determine who left the explosives and the target of the supposed bomb attack.