Datu Salibo,
Maguindanao (davaotoday.com)
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Two members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) were killed in an operation against an Islamic State of Iraq and Syria-inspired faction of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Maguindanao province over the weekend, a military official said.
Dead were two members belonging to the armed forces of the MILF, the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, said Capt. Arvin Encinas, public affairs chief of the 6th Infantry Division.
He said the two were killed in separate incidents on the same day in Datu Salibo town in Maguindanao province.
However, Encinas said they cannot identify the casualties as the MILF is yet to issue a statement.
Encinas added that they are still validating reports on the killing of at least six and wounding of at least 14 members of the ISIS-inspired faction of Abu Turaipe since the intensified clash on Friday, September 15.
He said there were two ISIS militants killed and four were wounded on Friday, while another four were killed and 10 were wounded in a separate clash on Saturday, September 16.
The operation of the MILF against the ISIS-linked faction of the BIFF is now concentrated in Datu Salibo town, he added.
Meanwhile, Abu Misry Mama spokesperson of the BIFF, said that they received reports that “more than 100” were killed on the side of the MILF while “there were only seven” killed on the side of the ISIS since the fighting started on August 2.
He clarified, however, that they are not affiliated with ISIS and that the MILF is running after the faction who pledged allegiance with ISIS. (davaotoday.com)
