COTABATO CITY – Suspected rebels killed two government soldiers in downtown Shariff Aguak in the restive Muslim province of Maguindanao inn southern Philippines, the army said on Tuesday.
The soldiers, whose names were not released by the army, were buying materials for a school project when gunmen attacked them on Monday afternoon. The army did not say how many gunmen were involved in the attack, but they also took the soldiers’ motorcycle before fleeing.
Capt. Jo-ann Petinglay, a spokeswoman for the 6th Infantry Division, said the victims were members of the 34th Infantry Battalion which is currently working on the rehabilitation of Meta Elementary School in the neighboring Datu Unsay town.
“The unidentified perpetrators took the motorcycle of the victims after shooting one in the head and the other at the back. Responding elements of the 34th Infantry Battalion were able to bring the soldiers to the hospital in Maguindanao, but they were already declared dead upon arrival,” she said.
Petinglay condemned the twin killings and quickly blamed the attack on the separatist Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.
“The incident clearly manifest that the BIFF members are treacherous and will eventually strike at soldiers who are not involved in actual combat operation if given the opportunity. This only further proves that the group does not care for the welfare and the future of the children within their communities,” she said.
There was no immediate statement from the BIFF, but previous attacks on military targets were also carried out by sympathizers or supporters of the rebel group which is fighting for independence in Mindanao region. Maguindanao is one of five province under the Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner)
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