2 militiamen, pregnant woman killed in North Cotabato ambush

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines — Two militiamen and a pregnant woman were killed in an ambush in Pikit town on Monday.

The slain members of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit --- Richard Wacan and Ronald Lachica --- were on motorcycles en route to their detachment in the outskirts of Pikit when gunmen positioned at one side of the road opened fire, killing them both on the spot.

Their companion, Dante Boboy Jr, also a militiaman, was seriously wounded in the attack.

Superintendent Aldrin Gonzalez, spokesman of the Police Regional Office-12, said Tuesday a pregnant woman named Hasna Kusa was caught in the crossfire.

Kusa, who sustained gunshot wounds, died in a hospital later.

Gonzalez said probers are still trying to identify the culprits.

There are forces of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in Pikit, a troubled town where more than 30 people had been shot dead one after another in the past six months.

The BIFF operates in the fashion of the Islamic State and is known for attacking off duty police officers and military personnel to avenge losses in encounters with pursuing state security units