12 BIFF men killed in AFP Maguindanao offensive

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines — At least 12 members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) were confirmed killed in air and ground assaults launched by the military in this province since Sunday.

Municipal and barangay officials said Karim Binua, Munir Masdal, Ganih Lantih, Bukhari Samad, Acob Sanday, Monir Salama, Musib Tantung and Hamodi Gensa were killed in the air strikes.

Usman Gadoh, Ibra Awil, Badrudin Saman and Odin Salih were reportedly slain in clashes with soldiers near Liguasan delta and in Datu Saudi town.

Among the fatalities were said to be followers of bomb maker Esmael Abdulmalik, also known as Abu Toraife.

Eleven personnel of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division were wounded in the encounters.

The military said more than a dozen improvised explosive devices were recovered at the scene.

The military launched the offensive after receiving reports on the presence of members of the three factions of the BIFF in Shariff Saidona Mustapha and Mamasapano.

Firefights also erupted at the border of Shariff Saidona and Datu Salibo.

Hundreds of villagers evacuated their homes to avoid being caught in the crossfire. The provincial government and Humanitarian Emergency Assistance and Response Team of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao are providing assistance to the evacuees.

Maj. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, 6th ID commander, said military operations against the BIFF would continue.