COTABATO CITY – Five members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) pursuing extremist groups died in a landmine explosion in Maguindanao Sunday morning.
According to initial reports, the blast occurred at the height of operations mounted by the MILF against the followers of Esmael Abdulamalik, better known as Abu Torayfe of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Barangay Andavit Datu in Saudi Ampatuan town, Maguindanao.
Abu Torayfe is known to be a key supporter of the Islamic State in Maguindanao.
The MILF fighters who were killed in Sunday’s landmine incident were followers of MILF Kumander Arsap.
Pieces of metals and nails were among those scattered at the scene of the explosion, according to information from RMN Cotabato.
The MILF had been conducting operations against Abu Torayfe since Wednesday, and initial skirmishes resulted in the death of four BIFF men and injuries to two MILF combatants.
