Philippine soldiers patrol in southern Marawi city, Mindanao. (Photo: AFP/VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Philippine military forcesfoiled an attack of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in the southernpart of the country on January 7.
Some 50 BIFF rebels attacked Maitumaig, a remote villagein Datu Unsay town, Maguindanao province in southern Philippines on January 6,triggering a firefight that killed an army soldier and nine militants, saidArmy Captain Arvin Encinas.
The government forces used aircraft and artillery tofight the BIFF until the rebels withdrew.
The Philippine army has cooperated with the Moro IslamicLiberation Front (MILF) in stepping up operations against the BIFF since Augustlast year.
The MILF signed a peace accord with the government in2014 while the BIFF, a MILF splinter group, opposed the pact. Like Aby Sayyafand Maute Group, the BIFF has also pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS)group.-VNA
VNA
