BIFF Attack Repelled in Mindanao; 3 Rebels Wounded

Philippine Army troops repelled an attack by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) on an Army detachment in Talitay, Maguindanao del Norte, on Sunday night, with three alleged members of the rebel group reportedly wounded. Major General Jose Vladimir R. Cagara, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, stated that troops returned fire after approximately 15 armed men attacked the detachment, forcing the assailants to retreat with their wounded companions. Military and police officials indicated that the attack followed a roadside bombing incident about an hour earlier near an Army outpost in Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao del Sur. Local residents identified the wounded BIFF members, noting that one is related to slain BIFF leader Esmael Tingan Abubakar, who was killed during an operation earlier this month. Authorities are coordinating with local officials and community leaders to prevent retaliatory attacks by the group’s remaining members. Source: BusinessWorld Nation