5 soldiers hurt in BIFF attack

MAGUINDANAO , Philippines  —  Five soldiers were wounded in a grenade explosion in Shariff Aguak town on Thursday night.

 Suspected members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) hurled the grenade in front of an Army detachment in Barangay Labo-Labo, initial investigation showed.

Maj. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, 6th Infantry Division commander, said the attack could be in retaliation for the death of BIFF members Narolam Kasan and his brother Saiden, sons of a BIFF commander,  in a military offensive in Shariff Saidona earlier that day.    

Soldiers launched an artillery attack on a suspected BIFF lair in Barangay Pagatin 1 after villagers reported the presence of armed men.