Army, BIFF clashes erupted in Maguindanao

DATU SALIBO, Maguindanao --- Firefight between government forces and Moro bandits erupted today in Datu Salibo, Maguindanao, the Army here said.An ongoing trading of fire is happening now in Barangay Butalo, Datu Salibu, Maguindanao military and BIFF official confirmed.
Col. Felicisimo Budiongan, commanding officer of Army’s 1st Mechanized brigade based in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town confirmed the firefight between his troops and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) erupted at past 4 p.m. Friday in Barangay Butalo, Datu Salibo town. There are sporadic fires at the moment, the BIFF snipers have been firing at our troops, Badiongan said in a phone interview.Badiongan said the BIFF has been opposed to the construction of a bridge in the clash site where they planted an improvised bomb.Alert Army bomb experts safely defused the IED, Badiongan said, adding the project is funded under the priority development fund of Maguindanao 2nd District Rep. Zajid Mangudadatu. Our bomb experts were dismantling the explosive when the bandits noticed us, then started sniping our troops, we responded with artillery fires, he said.Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter spokesperson Abu Misri Mama, meanwhile, said, they fired at government forces for coming close to their location.No casualty was reported on both sides.The BIFF is among the threat groups operating mainly in Maguindanao and was blamed for the series of attacks against government forces in the past.