MAGUINDANAO, Philippines — Soldiers shot dead two members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in an encounter in Barangay Mao in Datu Paglas town Sunday. Sunday’s hostilities in Barangay Mao erupted when BIFF gunmen attacked soldiers patrolling in the area, dispatched to check on reports by villagers on sightings of armed men around. Seven BIFF members have since been killed in continuing Army clearing operations. Three other BIFF gunmen, initially identified only as Tatoh, Sanged and Samsudin, were wounded in Sunday’s encounter in Barangay Mao, according to sources from the local communities, among them religious leaders. Uy said their campaign against Karialan and his followers behind the May 8 atrocity in the town proper of Paglas will continue as planned.

Source: Philippine Star May 16, 2021 09:11 UTC