[Mindanao Examiner] Two Philippine soldiers were injured in a clash with militants in Maguindanao province that coincided with Monday’s State of the Region address in the Muslim autonomous region.
Troops were searching for improvised explosives in the town of Shariff Saydona when some 30 Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters attacked them, triggering fierce clashes in the village of Nabundas.
Captain Jo Ann Petinglay said, "Two platoons of soldiers while conducting security patrol in the area – which was reported to have IEDs – were fired upon by some 30 members of the BIFF under (rebel commanders) Bisaya and Sanad. As a result, two members of the 45th Infantry Battalion were wounded and an undetermined (number of casualties) on the side of the enemy."
Petinglay called on local governments and former militant groups Moro National Liberation Front and Moro Islamic Liberation Front to keep watch over the security situation in their areas and help the government in stopping terrorism by providing information to authorities. |