Suspected members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters killed three alleged military informants in an ambush in Midsayap, North Cotabato the other day.
A police report reaching Camp Crame in Quezon City identified the victims as Ogie Bantas, 42; Motalib Talungon, 27; and Ismael Sumunsang, 37.
The victims were reportedly on their way home from their farm when they were repeatedly shot by at least three
BIFF members in Sitio Basaknin in Barangay Tugal at around 8:30 p.m.
“Further investigation disclosed that the victims were confidential informants of 34th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army,” police said.
“Likewise, the victims were instrumental in the identification of Peng Kulilong as drug lord in the area of Barangay Tugal and neighboring barangays.”
The local police and soldiers were not able to penetrate the ambush site due to presence of various armed groups.
The victims’ cadavers have been retrieved by relatives.
Intelligence report said the perpetrators of the ambush are BIFF members identified as Tsin Salindab, alias “Zainudin Ladtugan”; Abdul Kulilong, alias “Dekinia Kulilong”; and Thoy Zumbaga.
The BIFF is a breakaway faction of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The group parted ways with the MILF after the latter decided to strike a peace deal with the government. The BIFF is rooting for independence of Muslims in Mindanao. (Aaron Recuenco)
