3 civilians hurt as BIFF continues harassment in NorCot-Maguindanao border

PIKIT, North Cotabato - Three civilians were hurt as the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) tried but failed to over run two Army positions in remote villages here on Friday night, police and military officials said.As sporadic fighting continues, civilians from several villages in Pikit and in Datu Piang, Maguindanao, just across the Rio Grande de Mindanao, have fled. Colonel Audie Edralin, 7th Infantry Battalion commander, said BIFF lawless elements harassed 7th IB detachments in Barangays Silik and Damawaw, border villages of Pikit at about 11 p.m. Inspector Sindato Karim, Pikit police chief, saidsome 407 families are temporarily housed in Barangay Kabasalan and Bulol in Pikit after abandoning their homes when BIFF started firing Friday morning and throughout the day.Three civilians, a couple and child, are now confined at hospital in Pikit. They were not identified by military and police authorities. Karim said the number of displaced families is rising as loud explosions can still be heard in their communities inBarangays Katilakan, Barungis, Punol, Makabual and Balong, located about 26 kilometers from town center. We need to clear the roads leading to these villages for the safety of our policemen and even the LGU employees who will conduct validations in the area,” Karim said in a phone interview.Karim said aside from BIFF forces, some suspects in the Maguindanao massacre were also sighted in the marshland.Two civilians were killed and three others wounded when BIFF first launched attacks at 3 a.m. on Friday in Barangay Kabasalan, Pikit. No casualty on government side. Edralin said more forces were deployed in the Maguindanao-North Cotabato borders to thwart any attempt from the BIFF led by Commander Carialan.Contacted by phone,Abu Misry Mama, BIFF spokesperson, confirmed the BIFF harassment and vowed to continue doing so because we do not want the military in the marshland.