Troops hunt down BIFF rebels in Maguindanao

MAGUINDANAO – Government troops launched an operation on Saturday to hunt down rebels who attacked military forces in Maguindanao’s Shariff Saydona Mustapha town in the Muslim autonomous region.

The hunt was mounted following a firefight late Friday in the village of Timbangan where Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters attacked soldiers deployed in the area.

Although there were no reports of casualties from both sides, the renewed fighting have alarmed villagers and feared that rebels may attack again.

A separate police report has identified the leaders of the rebel group as Samad Simpal and Khadaffy Abdulatip. The army’s 34th Infantry Battalion has confirmed the clash and said troops were hunting down the rebels.

Colonel Melquiadez Feliciano, commander of the 601st Infantry Brigade, said they heightened security in the town and assured civilians that the attack was an isolated case. (Rose Muneza)

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