DAVAO CITY — The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter claimed it suffered two casualties during the early dawn Sunday’s clash with PNP-SAF at Barangay Tukanalipao, Mamasapano town in Maguindanao.
The two BIFF mujahideens were identified as Boy Sixty and Boy Maninindeg as posted in the official website of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter (http://www.bifm-rib.com).
The BIFF claimed the Mamapasano carnage as “incidental in nature” and stressed that “it is the fiercest (bloodiest) one among all encounters between BIFF and government forces since 2012.”
Abu Misry Mama, spokesperson of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter, said that they were “clueless” about the PNP-SAF covert operation.
“We didn’t have any idea of their operation. It came as a surprise to us but our BIFF forces managed to defend themselves,” explained Mama.
According to BIFF, at least two platoons of heavily armed men in the populated area arrived somewhere in Tukanalipao, Mamasapano in Maguindanao.
“They attacked us first upon entering our lair,” said Mama, adding that the clash lasted for about 8 hours since it started early dawn Sunday.
Mama said that they don’t have “tactical alliance” with the MILF forces but admitted that BIFF and MILF have close family ties, saying “some of our BIFF forces have families or relatives in the MILF.”
He also denied that they PNP-SAF forces were treated with cruelty. (davaotoday.com)
