MANILA – The number of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters killed in the ongoing pursuit operation in Maguindanao has risen to eight, with five of the brigands reported wounded, 6th Infantry Division commander, Major Gen. Romeo Gapuz, said yesterday.

He added that the information was from civilians who witnessed the fighting in Macasampen and Guindulungan, both in Maguindanao.

Gapuz said government forces also recovered two firearms and one radio in the encounter, but added that the situation has normalized.

Around 100 BIFF members were reportedly responsible for attacking troopers from the 68th Infantry Battalion who were fired upon at around 5:20 a.m. while conducting routine security operations in Barangay Bagan, Guindulungan.

The 45th Infantry Battalion was also attacked by suspected BIFF members, led by a certain “Abunastria”, at around 7 a.m., while conducting clearing operations at Shariff Aguak Highway and Datu Saudi Ampatuan town. The 2nd Mechanized Battalion headquarters at Salbo, Datu Saudi was also sniped at by the rebels, the Army said.

Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, Armed Forces of the Philippines Public Affairs Office chief, said that BIFF members also strafed an oil tanker in Barangay Bagan at around 5:20 a.m.

The Alpha Company of the 6th Infantry Division chased the perpetrators, triggering an intense firefight, he added.

The 6th ID also temporarily closed the Macasampen-Salbo route to safeguard the commuting public.

At around 10 a.m., troopers from the 2Mechanized Infantry Battalion and explosive ordnance disposal team, headed by Lt. Col. Sidney Atega, defused an improvised explosive device at a highway near the Sawmill Detachment in Barangay Macasampen.*PNA

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