From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 23): Child dies as BIFF rebels attack Maguindanao Army base
A child was killed while a farmer was wounded when renegade Moro rebels attacked an Army base in Maguindanao while majority of Maguindanaons were glued on TV and radio for President Aquino's 4th State of the Nation Address, authorities here said Tuesday.
Colonel Dickson Hermoso, speaking for the Army's 6th Infantry "Kampilan" Division based here, said members of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) opened fire a roadside detachment of the Army’s 2nd Mechanized Battalion in Barangay Elian in Datu Saudi and hurriedly escaped.
The gun burst sent fresidents nearby who are observing fasting into panic at about 4:30 p.m.
The bandits fired several rounds of rifle grenades toward the Army base before fleeing.
A child and a farmer were seriously wounded in the incident. The child later expired at the Cotabato Regional andMedical Center
But the BIFF spokesperson, Abu Misry Mama, denied any involvement of their forces in the Barangay Elian attack.
“We are not involved, if we did I will admit and make it public," Mama told a radio station here.
Following the incident, soldiers conducted foot patrols and urged civilians to help the Army contain lawless elements so they will not be disrupted in their religious activities.
Most of the Maguindanaons are observing the month-long Ramadhan where they sacrifice by not taking in food and water from dawn to dusk. Fasting ends on August 9.
Hermoso said the Army is saddened by the turn of events when Moro guerrillas harassed Army positions that also affect civilians in the community.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=547036
A child was killed while a farmer was wounded when renegade Moro rebels attacked an Army base in Maguindanao while majority of Maguindanaons were glued on TV and radio for President Aquino's 4th State of the Nation Address, authorities here said Tuesday.
Colonel Dickson Hermoso, speaking for the Army's 6th Infantry "Kampilan" Division based here, said members of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) opened fire a roadside detachment of the Army’s 2nd Mechanized Battalion in Barangay Elian in Datu Saudi and hurriedly escaped.
The gun burst sent fresidents nearby who are observing fasting into panic at about 4:30 p.m.
The bandits fired several rounds of rifle grenades toward the Army base before fleeing.
A child and a farmer were seriously wounded in the incident. The child later expired at the Cotabato Regional and
But the BIFF spokesperson, Abu Misry Mama, denied any involvement of their forces in the Barangay Elian attack.
“We are not involved, if we did I will admit and make it public," Mama told a radio station here.
Following the incident, soldiers conducted foot patrols and urged civilians to help the Army contain lawless elements so they will not be disrupted in their religious activities.
Most of the Maguindanaons are observing the month-long Ramadhan where they sacrifice by not taking in food and water from dawn to dusk. Fasting ends on August 9.
Hermoso said the Army is saddened by the turn of events when Moro guerrillas harassed Army positions that also affect civilians in the community.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=547036