MANILA – A suspected Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) leader along with 11 other suspected members were killed in a clash in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur on Monday afternoon.
The Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID) said the encounter between the suspects and government troops took place from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Monday in Sitio Pendililang, Barangay Kitango.
Among those killed were Mohiden Animbang or Karialan, supposedly the chairperson of the BIFF Karialan Faction, and his brother Saga Animbang who served as the operation chief of the faction.
The military, however, has yet to identify the 10 individuals who were killed in the operation, while seven government troops were also wounded in the clash.
Major General Alex Rillera, commander of the 6ID and Joint Task Force Central, said it was the duty of government soldiers to protect the people against the sowing of violence by terrorist groups.
“Mas nangingibabaw ang tungkulin ng inyong kasundaluhan na proteksyunan ang ating mamamayan laban sa paghahasik ng karahasan ng mga teroristang grupo,” Rillera said.
He added: “Napilitan tayo na gamitan ng pwersa ang mga ito upang tuluyang matuldukan ang terorismo dito sa ating lugar.”
Rillera also said that he hopes that the incident will bring about peace in these communities so that development will come to Datu Saudi Ampatuan.
Meanwhile, a BIFF official has said that they would take revenge in due time after some of their members were cornered and ambushed with air assets.
“The battle is not yet over, there is continuation,” BIFF spokesperson Abu Supyan said in an online interview./PN
