9 BIFF killed in clashes in Maguindanao town

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines — Firefights in Shariff Saydona Mustapha town in Maguindanao since Thursday have left nine more suspected members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters dead, the military reported Tuesday.

The Western Mindanao Command said personnel of the Army's 6th Infantry Division killed nine more members of the BIFF on Monday.

The slain bandits were all followers of Abu Toraife, whose real name is Abdulmalik Esmael, leader of one of three factions in the BIFF.

Barangay officials in the adjoining Maguindanao and North Cotabato provinces identified seven of the nine killed as Abdul Mosaiden, Mohammad Sakar, Hamid Ekal, Maula Samad, Esmail Kagui Malang, Muner Akbal and Musanep Kabelan.

Sources said the two other slain alleged BIFF terrorists were known only as Arum and Kused.

Six bandits, four of them identified only as Oman, Andok, Taleng and Kasim were killed in encounters three days before.

Westmincom said operations against the BIFF has been coordinated with the ceasefire committee of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Lt. Col. Roberto Breboneria, spokesman of the 6th ID, said operations in towns along the Liguasan Delta is aimed at neutralizing wanted BIFF bomb-makers implicated in deadly bombings in Central Mindanao.