THREE people, including a militiaman, were wounded in an attack by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Maguindanao province, the military said Tuesday, April 23.
Lieutenant Colonel Alvin Iyog, Army’s 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion commander, said the incident happened around 7:50 p.m. Sunday in Kauran village, Ampatuan town.
Iyog identified the victims as Micheal Enito, a militiaman, and Ronelo Dordas and Carlybeth Pradas, both civilians, who were injured when a group of BIFF gunmen deliberately fired at them and the militia detachment.
The military official said security measures were strengthened to ensure the safety and security of the community.
Colonel Efren Baluyot, Army’s 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade commander, said they will pursue their offensives to safeguard the civilians and run after those responsible in the attack.
Major General Cirilito Sobejana, Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander, also directed his field units in the area “to hunt the terror group members for such cowardly and desperate acts.”
“Apparently, this is a revenge as BIFF members suffered a setback during our focused military operation in the Salibu-Pagatin-Mamasapano and Shariff Aguak box,” Sobejana said.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant General Arnel Dela Vega, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, condemned the blatant attack perpetrated by BIFF “on the innocent and peace-loving people of Mindanao.”
“This machination bespeaks of the travesty and iniquity of terrorists that wage war against the government and inflict harm on civilians in Mindanao,” Dela Vega said.
He said they will beef up the internal security campaign with the police to defeat the BIFF. (SunStar Philippines)