Soldier killed, 3 others hurt in BIFF attacks

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – A soldiers was killed while 3 others were wounded when members of the rebel Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) launched simultaneous attacks in the provinces of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat at dawn on Saturday, January 3.

Captain Joan Petinglay, spokesperson of the military's 6th Infantry Division, said the rebels attacked military detachments in Barangay Kulasi, General SK Pendatun town in Maguindanao, and in Barangay Katiku in President Roxas town, Sultan Kudarat, both at around 1 am.

"Troops of said detachments immediately returned fire to enemy position. After an hour of firefight, enemy withdrew from the area," Petinglay said.

The soldier who died and the 3 who were hurt were in Sultan Kudarat, Petinglay said.

The wounded soldiers were immediately evacuated and brought to a hospital.

Led by former 105th Base Commander Ustadz Ameril Umra Kato, the BIFF splintered from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front after serious disagreements on the conduct of the peace negotiations with the government.

The BIFF is currently waging an armed revolution for the creation an Islamic State in Mindanao. – Rappler.com