A MEMBER of the breakaway rebel group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) was killed Saturday while on the run from military forces in Pandag, Maguindanao, a report from the army said. Authorities identified the slain BIFF member as Kaliga Usman Kamsa who tried to escape the 40th Infantry Battalion in a Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit checkpoint in Barangay Malangit. “The troops launched the operation at the residence of the target in barangay Upper Siling, Paglat, but he escaped onboard a motorcycle,” said Major General Diosdado C. Carreon, Joint Task Force Central commander. “The blocking troops were to apprehend him but he resisted,” Mr. Carreon added. Recovered from Kamsa were two fragmentary hand grenades. Both the BIFF member and the recovered items were turned over to Pandag Philippine National Police. — Marc Wyxzel C. Dela Paz
