CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao–The military said it has foiled an attempt by IS-linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) to take over the town hall of Datu Paglas, Maguindanao on Tuesday dawn.
Elements of the Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion (IB), led by Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, engaged the BIFF in a firefight that sent civilians fleeing to safer grounds.
Capt. Arvin John Encinas, the spokesman of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID), said fighting is still going on as of this posting near the town center between 33rd IB troopers and BIFF faction led by Sulaiman Tudon in Sitio Mopac.
Five civilians were initially held hostage by the BIFF and used as human shields against pursuing government forces. Their fate remained unknown as of this posting, Encinas said.
Encinas said Mayor Ibrahim Paglas of Datu Paglas town has informed Cabunoc before dawn Tuesday about the presence of an undetermined number of BIFF in Sitio Mopac, Barangay Poblacion. In response, Cabunoc led his men to the area and a firefight erupted.
“No civilians were trapped, although many of them have fled to safer grounds, now at the town gymnasium, about 50 persons,” Encinas said. He said Tudon and his men were allegedly involved in drug dealing in collusion with Abdullatif Pendaliday alias “Grasscutter”, a BIFF sub-leader operating in Datu Paglas and nearby towns.
“The group has been using drug money to sustain its operations,” Encinas said.
Government troopers have blocked portions of the highway in the Datu Paglas area to prevent the escalation of the conflict to nearby areas. Encinas said they are also verifying reports that two soldiers were initially injured in the ongoing fighting. (PNA)
