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30 policemen killed in S. Philippine firefight

Xinhua, January 25, 2015 Adjust font size:

At least 30 Philippine policemen were killed in a gunbattle with alleged members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and Moro Islamic Liberation Front in the south province of Maguindanao on Sunday.

Police said the clashes occurred in the early hours of the day in the town of Mamasapano.

Restituto Padilla, spokesman of Armed Forces of the Philippines, said Army soldiers were later deployed to retrieve the slain policemen. As of Sunday afternoon, he said the military has retrieved "nine out of the more than 30 something (policemen) killed."

While the military helped in extricating police casualties, the policemen were conducting operations against lawless elements and carrying out a warrant of arrest, Padilla added.

Further investigation into the incident was underway. Endi