3 BIFF men killed in North Cotabato

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The death toll in the clashes between soldiers and members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) this week has risen to 24 as three more bandits were killed in North Cotabato.

Soldiers belonging to the 34th Infantry Battalion were looking for the safehouse of BIFF sub-commander Mando Mamalupong, alias DM, in Sitio Macantal, Barangay Olandang, Midsayap on Monday night when the clash occurred, Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, 6th Infantry Division commander, said.   

Lt. Col. Gerry Besana, Western Mindanao Command spokesman, identified the fatalities as Pinidiza Tumaganta and Aida Dalgan, Mamalupong’s father-in-law and sister-in-law, respectively, and Norman Kanapia.

Besana said an M16 rifle, three hand grenades, an improvised explosive device, a binocular, a caliber .45 pistol, three cell phones, a tablet and various types of ammunition were recovered from the fatalities. 

Fifteen militants, four of them foreigners, were killed in air strikes in Liguasan marsh on Sunday. Six other BIFF men were killed in another clash earlier on Monday. 

Another encounter occurred in Barangay Limpongo, Datu Hoffer town when BIFF bandits attacked a military detachment at around 9 p.m. also on Monday.