COTABATO CITY – Military forces are hot on the trail of suspected members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) who on Sunday waylaid the convoy of the town mayor in South Upi, Maguindanao, which resulted in the death of a civilian and wounding of four people.
Lt. Col. Jonathan Pondanera, 57th Infantry Battalion commander, said government forces have launched pursuit operations against the BIFF militants who ambushed the convoy of Mayor Renalbert Insular in outskirt Barangay Pandan, South Upi past 2.p.m. last Sunday.
Lt. Billy Fontanilla, South Upi police chief, said some 10 heavily armed gunmen opened fire at the convoy of the mayor including police escorts and relief volunteers while on their way home from a humanitarian mission in Barangay Itaw.
Fontanilla, who was in the convoy, said the gunmen detonated improvised explosive devices which were planted on the road before they fired at the convoy.
“We were able to return fire and engage the suspects in an intense gunfight for almost one hour,” Fontanilla said.
He said the suspects withdrew after helicopter gunships arrived to reinforce them.
He said Insular was unhurt during the attack.
A local villager identified as Thelmo Sase who joined the convoy was killed during the IED explosion.
Fontanilla said Insular and their convoy came from Barangay Itaw where they conducted community outreach program for Teduray tribesmen who were displaced by the atrocities perpetrated by BIFF rebels who burned several houses in the area on New Year’s eve.
Pondanera said government forces launched manhunt operations against the suspects who withdrew toward the towns of Talayan and Datu Unsay.
