2 MILF fighters killed in ops vs IS-linked group

DAVAO CITY – The military yesterday confirmed reports that two members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members were killed in its own operation against Islamic State (IS)-inspired militants in Maguindanao province on Sunday, September 17.

In an interview with Capt. Arvin Encinas, public affairs chief of the Sixth Infantry Division, he said they received reports that an encounter between the MILF and the IS-inspired militants belonging to the Abu Turaipe faction of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) occurred around 9:30 am on Sunday in Barangay Tee, Datu Salibo town.

He said two MILF fighters were reportedly killed.

A separate report from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Regional Police Office identified the slain MILF members as Mustapa Musa and Muhamad Kafil.

The police report also said four other MILF fighters were wounded, and named two of them as Suranni Abelusa and Taha Sabpa.

Encinas added that the gunfight between the ISIS-inspired faction and the MILF have been raging since Friday, September 15.

He said they received reports that six were killed and 14 were wounded on the side of Abu Turaipe's faction. The military, he added was still validating these reports.

The MILF's operation against the ISIS-linked faction of the BIFF started last August 2.

The BIFF was established by an MILF commander based in Maguindanao and Cotabato area in protest to the peace talks between the government and the MILF in the past administration.

The group of Ameril Umbra Kato wanted total freedom for Moros in Mindanao by establishing their own government and a separate state.

The BIFF had been responsible for attacks against the government since then, but was nearly wiped out after an all-out offensive a few months after the controversial Mamasapano clash wherein 44 police commandos died.

The government said it found new life after aligning itself with the Maute Group and IS.