9 soldiers wounded in BIFF ambush in Maguindanao

MAGUINDANAO — Nine soldiers were hurt in an ambush by Moro militants in Rajah Buayan town in Maguindanao on Friday.

Senior Superintendent Agustin Tello, Maguindanao police director, initially identified the victims as Privates Kevenino Abines, Jayson Abat, Crisanto Lemente, Jennil Distura and Jemuel Enocito, and Corporals Kevin John Burlatos, Marlon Abrenilla, Raymund Rosare and Rommel Besus.

They all belong to the 40th Infantry Battalion, a component unit of the Army's 6th Infantry Division.

The troopers were on their way to their battalion command post in Barangay Zapakan of Rajah Buayan from their detachment when a roadside bomb went off while their vehicle was maneuvering through a secluded stretch of a highway in Pidsandawan area in the same town.

Barangay officials said members of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters were behind the attack. The group boasts of allegiance to the terror organization Islamic State, to whom a militant coalition that is attempting a siege on Marawi City is affiliated.

Witnesses said BIFF gunmen positioned at one side of the road emerged after the explosion and fired at the Kia light truck carrying the nine soldiers.

Although outnumbered, the soldiers returned fire, preventing their ambushers from approaching their location.

The BIFF bandits scampered away when they sensed that responding policemen and soldiers from nearby detachments were closing in.

The wounded soldiers were immediately rushed to a hospital by Army medics.