ACTUAL NA KUHA NG LABANAN NG BIFF AT AFP SA DATU PAGLAS MAGUINDANAO
ARMED ENCOUNTER REPORT CA-080521-01:
Firefight is now on progress between the combined military-police forces and more than 100 heavily armed men at the vicinity of public market in Poblacion, Datu Paglas, Maguindanao.
Datu Paglas Vice Mayor Tong Paglas told a local radio station in Koronadal City that past 8am today he heard mortar fires.
He confirmed the armed men are members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter (BIFF)-Karialan faction.
There is no immediate report of any casualty from both sides of the fighting.
The military reportedly tried to push the armed men away from the heavily populated market area to minimize damage to civilian homes and government facilities.
Responding soldiers from 601st Infantry Brigade, 6th Infantry Division PA under Joint Task Force Central closed the Tacurong-Makilala section of the national highway.
They blocked the highway with a fully-loaded 10-wheeler truck to prevent civilian vehicles from passing thru the Poblacion where the Municipal Hall, Police Station and other vital facilities are located.
Combat helicopters are now flying over the scene of encounter to support ongoing ground maneuver by Army forces.
The armed men entered and occupied the public market about 4am today, 08 May 2021.
The BIFF men led by Ustadz Karialan alias Imam Minimbang himself reportedly fired at the first responding elements of Datu Paglas Municipal Police Station.
At daybreak hundreds of residents evacuated their homes as soldiers started arriving. They are now housed in evacuation centers far from Poblacion.
Local officials tried to talk with the BIFF men but to no avail.
Lt Col John Paul Baldomar, 6ID and JTF Central spokesman, told the local media they are ready to fight the attackers should the negotiation initiated by the local officials failed.
The military's continuing combat operation in central Maguindanao flushed out the BIFF main group from the nearby Liguasan Marsh to Datu Paglas -- a once peaceful and progressive town.
Karialan's right hand reportedly married to someone from Poblacion, Datu Paglas and is supposed to have brought the armed group to the area.
This is the second time in recent years that BIFF men initiated hostilities in Poblacion, Datu Paglas that straddled the highway that connects Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat to Kidapawan City in Cotabato province and to Davao City.
Motorists have to go around General Santos City, Sarangani and Davao del Sur provinces in they wanted to reach these cities.
