Two other suspected members of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (
BIFF) were injured while a government soldier was killed during the initial clashes on Monday morning, according to Maj.
Reports reaching the 6th ID and the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao also indicated that a large number of
BIFF bandits from the faction led by Imam Karialan fled to Pinditen and Inaladan after the military pounded their hideouts in Salibo town in Maguindanao with mortars last week.
The
BIFF has been against the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) which was recently ratified by both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Three unarmed soldiers were killed in separate attacks by
BIFF militants in Cotabato City and in Datu Salibo town in Maguindanao just last Thursday.
Owing to intensified security patrol, troops on Tuesday encountered an undetermined number of
BIFF elements at Barangay Inaladan in Shariff Saydona Mustapha town, he said.
Meantime, the Army has yet to confirm reports if indeed there were four
BIFF members who perished during the firefight.
'His family members were instrumental in convincing him to finally surface in the name of peace,' said Cabunoc, who personally fetched the former
BIFF members in Sumakubay village.
Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu, PPOC chairman, confirmed the reports of the collusion between the
BIFF and local drug lords as he pointed out that both groups have been reeling from incessant military and police operations against them.
Senior members of the municipal peace and order councils in the adjoining Ampatuan and Shariff Aguak towns in Maguindanao said Wednesday the
BIFF bandits were led by Diok and Abu Ruzdak, who each lost two followers in the encounter.
Encinas said the
BIFF is a militant group said to be inspired by the ISIS.
Personnel of the Army's 7th Infantry Battalion and members of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit captured two
BIFF members .Abdula Minola and Mohamid Kabimbi .
Two
BIFF members, believed to be behind the twin bombings in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat that killed five and wounded 48 others, were also arrested and are now undergoing tactical interrogation.