Google map screenshot of Midsayap, Cotabato
MIDSAYAP, North Cotabato — A mid-level leader of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and his companion were killed in a firefight with joint police and military operatives at the boundary of this province and of Maguindanao last Saturday.
Brig. Gen. Eliseo Tam Rasco, Police Regional Office-12 (PRO-12) director, identified the slain BIFF leader as Mando Mamalumpong and his companion as Norhamin Sabdulla.
Rasco said the two were killed in a 30-minute firefight in a law enforcement operation to serve a warrant of arrest around 5:10 a.m. on Black Saturday in Sitio Macantal, Barangay Olandag, this town.
Rasco said the firefight ensued as the two BIFF rebels resisted and traded shots with policemen backed by troops from the Army’s 34th Infantry Battalion who were about to serve a warrant of arrest against Mamalumpong.
He said Mamalumpong has standing warrants of arrest for murder and frustrated murder issued by the court.
He said the troops have recovered an M-16 Armalite rifle and an M-14 rifle with ammunition from the two slain BIFF rebels.
He said Mamalumpong is operating in this town and in the nearby town of Datu Piang in Maguindanao.
Rasco assured the public that the police and military will continue enforcing the law even during and after the observance of the Holy Week.
He lauded the policemen and soldiers involved in the successful Black Saturday operation. (PNA)
