3 rebels killed in Philippine clash

Three members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFM) were killed in Tuesday's clash with soldiers in the southern Philippine province of Maguindanao. Armed Forces Spokesman Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said BIFM members launched two separate attacks. Around 100 BIFM men first attacked a detachment of the 68th Infantry Battalion in Magaslong village around 4:10 a.m.local time. BIFM retreated after a 20-minute firefight. No soldier was reported killed or injured. Zagala said soldiers pursued the group, triggering intermittent fighting at a nearby national highway. He said the highway was closed to motorists until around 1 p.m. when the thoroughfare was cleared. In Bagan village, around 5:20 a.m. local time, Zagala said another group of BIFM men strafed an oil tanker. No one was reported killed or injured in the strafing incident. He said the driver and his helper sought refuge at a nearby military detachment. Zagala said the government troops responded and pursued the BIFM resulting in a fierce firefight. He said the Datu Piang highway was also temporarily closed to ensure security of commuters. The highway was cleared and opened to commuters around 11:30 a.m. The fighting spread to Pendililang village in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town. Zagala said the pursuit operations resulted in the death of three BIFM men. The BIFM launched the attacks while Filipino Muslims in the south are observing the holy month of Ramadan. The attacks started early this month before the Ramadan started, when the BIFM bombed a bridge in Datu Piang town. A day after, they bombed a restaurant in Cotabato City, killing one person and injuring three others. "Although we respect (the Muslims observance of the) Ramadan, we cannot let these attacks (continue)," Zagala said. Zagala said the BIFM attacks are meant to disrupt the peace talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The BIFM, founded by Ameril Umbra Kato, a former MILF commander, broke away with the MILF in the late 2010 after the latter dropped the fight for an independent Islamic state. Peace talks between the government and the MILF have been moving forward thanks to the signing in October last year of a framework agreement. This is a road map that aims to create a Bangsamoro government that will replace the existing Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and end the forty-year armed struggle in southern Philippines. In a separate press briefing, the Philippine government assured Tuesday the protection of the civilians amid the fresh encounter between the government troops and the BIFM. Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the military's clearing operations have been ongoing to ensure the safety of commuters passing a national highway in Datu Piang town.