A SOLDIER was killed and two others were injured in an attack staged by members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Datu Hoffer town in Maguindanao, the military reported yesterday.
The Army’s 6th Infantry Division (ID) said the attack was perpetrated by the terrorist group last Friday while the soldiers were securing a bridge being repaired.
The Kabulnan Bridge in Barangay LabuLabu II was recently damaged by severe tropical storm Paeng. Maguindanao was among the hardest hit by the tropical cyclone.
Lt. Col. Dennis Almorato, 6th ID spokesman, said some 15 BIFF men led by Commander Abdulkarim Lumbatan, alias Boy Jacket, and Kamhed Akan Kambal, alias Mhedz, opened fire at the soldiers from the Army’s 40th Infantry Battalion at around 9:30 p.m.
Killed was Private First Class Jomar Saladar while Corporal Allan Rey Estanda and Private Carl Araña were injured.
The BIFF men withdrew after a 15-minute firefight. Troops have been sent to conduct operations against the perpetrators, said Almorato.
“What the BIFFs did to our soldiers is just to show that they have no heart in helping our countrymen even though we have been hit by severe floods here in our area,” said 6th ID commander Maj. Gen. Roy Galido.
