MAGUINDANAO, Philippines — Some 50 members of a local terror group showed force in Datu Paglas town early Saturday, provoking a brief clash with state security forces that sent villagers running for their lives. Datu Paglas is only about 10 kilometers from Buluan town, where the Maguindanao provincial capitol is located. Members of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters were first spotted converging in the public market of Datu Paglas before dawn Saturday, as if bracing for an attack. Major Gen. Juvymax Uy, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said the BIFF gunmen involved in the Datu Paglas incursion were followers of Imam Karialan. The BIFF Karialan group lost 17 men in 13 encounters with units of the 6th ID from between January 17 to April 28.

Source: Philippine Star May 08, 2021 05:26 UTC