7 BIFF members killed in Maguindanao del Sur clash —military

Seven members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) were killed early Sunday morning following a joint military-police operation in Datu Paglas, Maguindanao del Sur, the military said Monday.

A policeman was also injured in the firefight, according to Major General Alex Rillera, commander of Joint Task Force Central.

Rillera said the government team was about to serve search warrants in Barangay Damawato when they were fired about by an undetermined number of BIFF members.

In a news release, Major Andrew Linao, spokesperson for the military's Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said the government forces fired back, "which also resulted in the death of the seven BIFF members, including the two subjects of the search warrants."

The two fatalities who were the subjects of search warrants were identified as Nasser Yussef Hussain alias Tutin Usop and Nurjihad Husain alias Datdat Usop.

"The operation also resulted in the seizure of six firearms and assorted ammunition, including one Uzi, two M16 rifles, and three cal .45 pistols," said Linao.

The wounded policeman was brought to a hospital in Tacurong City for medical attention. —KBK, GMA Integrated News