By Aaron Recuenco
Suspected members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) killed three alleged military informants in an ambush in Midsayap town of North Cotabato.
(Jun Ryan Arañas / MANILA BULLETIN)
A police report reaching Camp Crame in Quezon City identified the victims as Ogie Bantas, 42; Motalib Talungon, 27; and, Ismael Sumunsang, 37.
The victims were reportedly on their way home when they were repeatedly shot by at least three BIFF members in Sitio Basaknin Barangay Tugal at around 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
The victims, according to the police report, had just finished irrigating their ricefield.
"Further investigation disclosed that the victims were confidential informants of 34th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army," the report read.
"Likewise, the victims were instrumental in the identification of Peng Kulilong as drug lord in the area of Barangay Tugal and neighboring Barangays," the report added.
Both the local police and soldiers were not able to penetrate the ambush site due to presence of various armed groups in the area.
Fortunately, the victims’ relatives were able to retrieve their bodies.
Based on intelligence report, the perpetrators of the ambush were BIFF members identified as Tsin Salindab, alias Zainudin Ladtugan; Abdul Kulilong, alias Dekinia Kulilong; and, Thoy Zumbaga.
The BIFF is a breakaway faction of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The group parted ways with MILF after the latter decided to strike a peace deal with the government. The BIFF is rooting for independence of Moslems in Mindanao.
Criminal charges are now being readied against the suspects.