TWO members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters-Karialan Faction (BIFF-KF) were killed in a gunfight with government troops in the province of Maguindanao, a top military official said Monday, November 7, 2022.

Major General Roy Galido, Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander, said the gunfight happened Saturday, November 5, in Kuloy village, Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao.

Galido said that the gunfight ensued after the passengers of a tricycle disembarked and opened fire as they were approaching a checkpoint manned by the troops of the 33rd Infantry Battalion at Sitio Capok of Timbangan-Kuloy road towards Dapiawan village in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town.

“When the troops were about to conduct an inspection, the passengers promptly disembarked the tricycle and fire upon the approaching soldiers,” Galido said.

He the troops returned fire that resulted to the death of the two BIFF-KF members. A caliber .45 pistol with ammunition was recovered from them.

“No casualty was reported on the government side,” he added.

Meanwhile, Brigadier General Arturo Rojas, acting commander of the Western Mindanao Command, said they will not stop until “we neutralize all the remaining terrorists in our area of operation.”

“Our soldiers are working so hard and risking their lives to attain peace in our communities, that is why I encourage everyone to help us enlighten the minds of those who are still lured by false ideologies. Let us continue to walk the path for peace in the Mindanao region,” Rojas said. (SunStar Zamboanga)