Two MILF members killed in clash with terror group in Mindanao

MAGUINDANAO DEL SUR: Two pro-government Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members were killed while four others were injured in an ambush by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) terror group in the southern Philippine province of Maguindanao del Sur, an Army official said.

Maj. Saber Balogan, spokesperson of the Army's 601st Infantry Brigade, in a statement, said elements of the MILF's 10th and 118th base command under Commander Tikaw were ambushed by the BIFF led by a certain Abdulkarim Lumbaton at about 9pm Monday in Tukanalipao village, Mamasapano municipality.?

Balogan said the BIFF had detonated improvised explosive devices along the route of MILF fighters.

A 30-minute later firefight erupted, leaving MILF personnel Muhidin Kasanudin and Mackboy Mama dead.

Balogan identified the four injured MILF members as Mistah Miguel Bukong, Baser Bukong, Badz Haron and Usman Tawab, all Maguindanao residents and belonging to the MILF 105th base command.??

Balogan could not say if the BIFF also suffered casualties, but noted the presence of bloodstains along the BIFF's escape routes.

Lt. Col. Benjamin Cadiente, commander of the Army's 33rd Infantry Battalion, said a reinforcement sent to the clash scene rushed the injured to the hospital for treatment and brought the fatalities to their families for burial according to Islamic rites.

Pursuit operations against the BIFF continued, Cadiente said.

The BIFF is a breakaway faction of the MILF, which signed a peace deal with the Philippine government on March 27, 2014.

Some BIFF factions are aligned with Daesh.