CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao, Philippines — Five members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), who reportedly took part in occupying the public market of Datu Paglas town on Saturday, were killed in a clash on Tuesday night as government forces pursued the group linked to the Islamic State. ADVERTISEMENTHe said the gunmen were planting an improvised explosive device (IED) at Sitio Linek in Barangay Digal when soldiers arrived. They continue to burn, ambush, detonate bombs, talagang a full-blown terrorism,” Mr. Duterte said in his message to local officials, soldiers and policemen. Aside from the five slain BIFF gunmen, two other men involved in the BIFF’s occupation of the public market in Datu Paglas were earlier turned over by residents to the military. Galido said Jerwali Salem Zabel and Nasrullah Abdullah Walingan were arrested at the town’s outskirts of Datu Paglas on Monday.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer May 12, 2021 21:00 UTC