THE MILITARY reported on Tuesday that around 20 members of the extremist Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Maguindanao have been killed in a clash that started Monday. “We have some reports na some of those who got killed in yesterday’s encounter hanggang midnight kagabi (until midnight last night), umabot na ng (has reached) almost 20… and some of them are high value targets or high value individuals, meaning commanders and sub commanders,” 6th Infantry Division Commander MGen. Cirilito E. Sobejana said in a message to reporters. On the government side, one soldier was reportedly killed while seven were wounded in action. Meanwhile, the army’s 55th Infantry Battalion also had an encounter with 22 members of the Islamic State-inspired Dawla Islamiyah (DI) group led by Abu Dar Monday in Pagayawan town. “We are sustaining our focused military operation in order to destroy the remnants of this group (DI-Lanao) and make the province free from terrorist,” said 103rd Brigade commander Col. Romeo S. Brawner, Jr. in a statement. Two soldiers were reportedly killed and one wounded, while two DI members were killed in the clash. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras
