One civilian, two soldiers wounded after alleged BIFF attack detachment

March 11, 2019

One civilian and two soldiers were wounded after alleged members of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) attacked a military detachment in Maguindanao on Thursday, a spokesman said on Sunday night.

Major Arvin Encinas, spokesman of the 6th Infantry Division, said the BIFF members attacked an Army detachment in Brgy Tuka, Mamasapano at 10 pm.

He said wounded soldiers were from 40th Infantry Battalion and 3rd Light Armor Company while the injured civilian was identified as Bihamdi Abdulkarim Abdulgani.

Encinas said Abdulgani sustained a gunshot wound at his right knee when he tried to caution soldiers after he saw the armed group while he is on his way home.

“Accordingly, when Abdulgani was on his way back to his residence, he noticed an armed group around 300 meters away from the Army’s detachment and tried to caution them, but instead, he was shot deliberately by the outlawed members of BIFF,” he said.

Encinas said the bandits withdrew towards unknown direction after a 10-minute exchange of fires with government troops.

He said wounded victims were brought to Integrated Provincial Health Office  Maguindanao for medical treatment.

Major General Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the 6th Infantry Division, vows to intensify military operation against bandits in the area.

“We condemn the barbaric and inhuman attack of this peace spoiler as it is a manifestation of them being desperate to harm civilian people," Sobejana said.

"The 6th ID will intensify our pursuit operation against this terrorist group to preempt them in sowing fear and violence,” he added. Robina Asido/DMS