Gunmen block Maguindanao highway

SHARIFF AGUAK, Maguindanao -- Outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) last night shut down portions of Cotabato City-Isulan, Sultan Kudaratnational by putting up checkpoints, commuters said.Abdullah Said, driver of a passenger said soldiers prevented motorists in Guindulungan and Talayan, both in Maguindanao after the gunmen commandered several hauler trucks and parked it in the middle the highway, particularly in Barangay Bagan, Guindulungan, Maguindanao. We are not allowed to proceed to Isulan, Said said.Abu Misry Mama, speaking for the BIFF, confirmed his men stopped about 4 hauler trucks, used them as blockade andtook the vehicles' ignition keys. The highway is now open, Misry said. We blocked the highway because we have information Army intelligence agents are passing by, he said. But the intelligence officers did not pass.