4 BIFF gunmen killed in firefight in Maguindanao town

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines — Four Islamic militants were killed and two others were wounded in a firefight with soldiers in Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao on Tuesday.

The skirmish erupted when members of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters fired at personnel of the Army's 40th Infantry Battalion patrolling in a secluded area in Barangay Nabundas in Shariff Saidona Mustapha, sparking an hour-long encounter.

The soldiers were dispatched to Barangay Nabundas to check on the presence there of wanted militants Zainuddin Kiaro, Noel Ganoy and Muslimin Amilil.

The 40th IB learned they were in the area from villagers who complained they were collecting food and money from farmers there at gunpoint.

Four of their followers, identified only as Duma, Yunos, Mobin and Kused were reportedly killed in the exchange of gunfire.

Barangay officials have confirmed the BIFF fatalities.

Two others bandits, Lucman and Abusama, were also wounded, according to the sources.

Pursuing soldiers found along the escape route of the fleeing militants two assault rifles, an M79 grenade launcher, anti-tank rockets and improvised explosive devices.

The BIFF, which operates in the fashion of the Islamic State, is blamed for all the bombings in central Mindanao since it emerged in 2010.

The group has three factions led by radical Islamic theologians eloquent in stoking hatred for non-Muslims.