15 TEACHERS HOSTAGED

Flash Report

BY REBELS IN MIDSAYAP

By Manny Pinol

www.mannypinol.com

Armed men, believed to be members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) which was reported to have forged an alliance with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), attacked the town of Midsayap in North Cotabato today on two fronts.

Fifteen public school teachers were reportedly held hostage in Barangay Malingao while two others managed to escape, informants said.

This could not be validated and verified as of this posting.

Polomoguen Barangay Chairman Efren Hachuela whom I talked by cellular phone a few minutes ago confirmed the attack and said his barangay is under siege.

“Ga-bakbakanay na kami diri,” Hachuela said as sounds of gunfire were heard in the background.

He said local militias are fighting side by side with members of the 40th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army.

Sketchy reports fed by informants on the ground said the suspected BIFF rebels attacked Midsayap town on two fronts – in Malingao and Polomuguen near the town’s boundary with Libungan town and in Barangay Baliki near Aleosan town.

There are no official reports yet coming from the Philippine National Police or the Philippine Army but the information fed by informants confirmed the attacks.

The attack on Midsayap, which is in the periphery of the Libungan-Torreta and Liguasan Marshes, comes as the siege of Zamboanga city staged by MNLF members under Nur Misuari is coming to an end.

(Photo caption: File photo of BIFF rebels.)

Source: Manny Piñol