Joint police and military operatives killed 10 suspected members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in a fierce clash in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, the military said yesterday.
Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commanding general of the Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command, said one soldier was killed while two others were wounded in the encounter.
Sobejana said members of the Army 33rd Infantry Battalion and the Philippine National Police 4th Special Action Company were conducting a patrol when they chanced upon a group of BIFF armed men in Barangay Tukanalipao.
A fierce clash occurred as the BIFF fighters stood their ground. Government forces were supported by artillery fire and airstrike during the gunbattle.
“These forced the bandits to withdraw and escape, bringing along their casualties with them,” said Sobejana.
Battle casualties were extracted from the encounter site and evacuated to Camp Siongco Station Hospital in Cotabato City for immediate medical attention, according to Sobejana.
Additional government troops were sent to the area for pursuit operations.
The BIFF is a breakaway faction of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. It was triggered by the decision of the MILF to sign a peace deal with the government last administration. (Aaron Recuenco)
