BIFF fighters enter Cotabato town, said carrying 12 students as hostage: Army

June 21, 2017

Members of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) attacked an outpost of a barangay peacekeeping action team in Cotabato on Wednesday morning, a military spokesman said. Capt. Arvin Encinas of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division said an undetermined number of BIFF members attacked the outpost located at the vicinity of Brgy Malagakit, Pigkawayan, Cotabato around 6 am. Encinas said troops are experiencing difficulties on pursuing the bandits as they were reportedly holding 12 students. “They use the civilians as human shield during their withdrawal,” he said. “Based on our latest report they are holding 12 students but it is still for validation if it is the exact number…, students because the BPAT outpost is just near a school,” he added. Encinas said after the attack responding troops encountered the bandits who later withdrew. “Our soldiers were able to immediately react to the harassment because we monitored their movement and their harassment plan, and all the Army detachments were able to advise the BPAT ( barangay peacekeeping action team) about the attack that’s why they were not became successful on their harassment,” he said. In a report, the Philippine National Police (PNP) National Operation Center reported that a militia detachment in Brgy. Simsiman, Pigkawayan, Cotabato was attacked by the bandit group. Encinas said government forces also established blocking operation to stop possible entry of the bandits. (Robina Asido/DMS)