11 die in BIFF attacks in Sultan Kudarat-Maguindanao borders

COTABATO CITY - Eleven persons were killed, seven of them civilian farmers, as bandits who had claimed allegiance to Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) launched simultaneous attacks in the boundary villages of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat provinces before dawn today.
Lt. Col. Ricky Bunayog, commanding officer of 33rd Infantry Battalion, said heavily armed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) led by certain Kumander Sukarno Sapal first attacked their detachment stationed in Sitio Manilong, Barangay, Banaba in Datu Abdulla Sangki, Maguindanao,triggering a three-hour firefight.
Bunayog said while the fighting was on going in Barangay Banana, another BIFF fighters initiated separate attacks in the villages of Paitan, Sagasa and Takal in Esperanza town, Sultan Kudarat province.
The three villages were close to the border in Maguindanao where the first attack was launched.

In Barangay Paitan, a 25 year old and 52 year old male farmers were killed when the rebels passed the victims’ farmyard. and//www.ndbcnews.com.ph/uploads/1420454994_2058985263.jpg (Government forces launched manhunt against BIFF who attacked communities in Maguindanao-Sultan Kudarat borders last November- photo byFerdinandh Cabrera) A woman and a young boy was spared from the killing and decided to release them after briefly taking them hostage.
The BIFF used civilians as human shields as the Army responded and chased them.
At around 5 a.m. also in Sitio Sabaduan, Barangay Kauran in Ampatuan town, five farmers were killed when troops of BIFF captured them while about to spray chemicals in their rice field.
The slain farmers went to their farms despite advice from government forces not to proceed due to on-going fire fight in nearby villages.
They were shot one-by-one at point blank after they were capture,” Bunayog said.
Bunayog also said that 33rd IB troops have killed four of the attackers during pursuit operations.
Our information from the ground, they brought their slain comrades during the retreat, some of their weapons accessories were also left,” Bunayog said. Datu Abdullah Sangki town chief-of-police Chief Inspector Alma Almeda Ladera said, tensions remain high as of posting.
We monitored some residents have evacuated but has no data yet on exact numbers, we remain vigilant and closely coordinating with local officials,” the lady police chief said.
Last month, a bloody fire fight also ensued between Moro rebels and Ilonggo settlers over land dispute that left two civilians kille.
Today, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters admitted they were behind in thesimultaneous attacks as part of their Jihad, according to their spokesperson Abu Misry Mama.
But Mama insisted they killed para-military troops and not civilian farmers as the military claimed.
Relatives of slain civilians decry the hostilities as they celebrate Christmas without their loved ones. (Ferdinandh Cabrera)