Military says at least 20 rebels in Maguindanao killed

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MANILA – The military on Thursday said that at least 20 members of a Muslim rebel group were killed when government forces attacked their training camp in Maguindanao.

Jo-ann Petinglay, public affairs officer of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said the military started its attack on the base of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) around 6:15 a.m. last Monday after learning of the group’s location.

The said members were responsible for the assault on the military detachments in Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat last Saturday that left three wounded, and one dead soldier.

Petinglay noted that they were not able to recover any body from the enemy because it is the group’s practice to recover their dead for burial.

The BIFF, who broke away from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in 2010, has tried to disrupt the negotiations between the MILF and the government through various deadly attacks.