DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Two civilians were killed and at least five were injured after a clash between the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and government forces on Sunday, December 3.
BIFF spokesman Abu Misry Mama said three of their members attacked the detachment of the military in Barangay Bagong, Shariff Aguak town in Maguindanao province around 7 pm.
“Our forces targeted the army detachment with two M-79 grenades,” Mama said over a phone interview.
He said the military then retaliated by firing at them with 105mm Howitzer artillery, which lead to the unintended death of the said civilians whose identities he did not disclose.
The death of the two, including the injury of five others, were confirmed by Capt. John Arvin Encinas, spokesperson of the military’s 6th Infantry Division.
He added that a soldier was injured during the encounter.
The troops, according to Encinas, were patrolling the area when they saw BIFF men attacking the detachment of the 40th Infantry Battalion.
The military is yet to receive a formal report from the ground to determine the number of fighters that were involved in the clash, including the cause of death and injury of the civilians caught in the fighting. (davaotoday.com)
Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, Civil War in Mindanao, Civil War in the Philippines, Philippine Army
