(Eagle News) — More than 170 families from Pigcawayan town in North Cotabato have been evacuated after the reported attack of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Barangays Malagakit and Simsiman around 5 a.m. on Wednesday, June 21.
The BIFF fighters were armed with rocket-propelled grenades (RPG) and he several hostages, according to a police source in the area.
“Marami sila,” said the source, adding that the enemy forces had lots of “snipers” as government forces engaged the BIFF rebels — allegedly allies of the Maute group– in a firefight.
The BIFF fighters first surrounded and attacked a police detachment in Barangay Simsiman and later attacked an elementary school in nearby Malagakit town, and held hostages there.
One member of a Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) was killed by the BIFF bandits said the police source.
The families from five barangays affected by the fighting were temporarily evacuated in front of the Pigcawayan municipal hall. There were also other evacuees in another barangay, according to an Eagle News Service correspondent in Pigcawayan.
At least 79 families were evacuated from Barangay Malagakit, 72 families from Barangay Central Panatan, 18 families from Barangay Banucagon, and three families from Barangay Simsiman– for a total of 172 families, equivalent to 858 individuals.
The BIFF members were also reportedly carrying black ISIS flags.
The BIFF are among the Islamist militants fighting in Marawi City along with the Maute group and the Abu Sayyaf Group.
(with a report from Eagle News Service correspondent in Pigcawayan, North Cotabato)