Off the wire
Peruvian PM says ready to face no-confidence vote  • New Zealand gov't opens up more deep sea areas to drilling  • Philippine military ends offensive versus Islamic rebels  • Venezuela collects 5 mln signatures against Obama's decree  • China sends fleet to help evacuate nationals from conflict-torn Yemen  • Tokyo stocks rise 0.53 pct in morning on Wall St. gains  • Interview: Iran unlikely to sign incomplete deal -- expert  • 1st LD Writethru: Japan's industrial output in Feb. fall faster than expected  • Direct flight links China's Zhengzhou with Osaka  • China Pacific 2014 net profit up 19 pct  
You are here:   Home

Sixteen killed in S. Philippines clash

Xinhua, March 30, 2015 Adjust font size:

Twelve rebels from the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter (BIFF) and four Philippine Army soldiers killed in a series of firefights that took place in the Southern Philippines on Sunday, the military said on Monday.

The initial firefight broke out between the Philippine Army's elite 6th Scout Ranger Company led by Capt. Blas Alsiyao and the BIFF under sub-leader named Commander Bungos in Malangog village, Datu Unsay town at around 9:30 a.m..

The elite Scout Rangers overran the enemy positions after about an hour of intense firefight, forcing the BIFF fighters to retreat.

Another firefight ensued between the members of the 34th Infantry Battalion, 8th Infantry division and a small group of BIFF bandits led by a certain Commander Bisaya in Pamalian village, Shariff Saydona town at 9:50 a.m..

At around 1 p.m.., an ambulance which carried wounded soldiers was attacked by the militants.

The BIFF is the armed wing of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement, which broke away from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front due to disagreements over the conduct of peace negotiations with the Philippine government. Endi