BOI: Up to 800 MILF fought in Mamasapano

A Bangsamoro militant in training (Wikipedia photo)

MANILA — As many as 800 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters fought against 72 police commandos during the Mamasapano incident in Maguindanao, according to the head of police’s Board of Inquiry (BOI).

At least three base commands of MILF: the 118th, 105th and 106th were confirmed to be involved in the incident by Director Benjamin Magalong of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in a Philippine Daily Inquirer Report.

He added in the same report that MILF residents rushed to the area and joined the fighting.

Other reports also indicated that the SAF members were surrounded by combined forces of the MILF and the outlaw Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF)

SAF commander Director Getulio Napeñas also confirmed during earlier Senate hearings that his men were outnumbered.

The encounter killed a total of 44 members of the elite Special Action Force (SAF), along with 18 rebels and five civilians.

“We hope we can talk directly to an MILF field commander so we can also get their side,” Magalong said.