Filipino terrorist hit squad ambushes, critically injures soldier
Hit squad believed from Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters terror group.
MAGUINDANAO DEL SUR: A hit squad of a Filipino terror group ambushed a motorcycle riding-soldier and his pillion rider in the southern province of Maguindanao del Sur on Wednesday (Mar. 13), a police official reportedly said.
The hitmen from the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) shot and injured Private First Class Roberto dela Cruz Desierto Jr., 23, of the Army’s 92nd Infantry Battalion, and his pillion rider Eugenio Lamoste Gurang in the 1.05pm attack.
Maguindanao Police Provincial Director Colonel Ruel Sermese said the men were travelling from the Army camp in Datu Saudi Ampatuan to Toril village in Davao City, SunStar reported in Tagalog.
When they arrived in Galakit Pagalungan village, they were suddenly shot with a .45 calibre pistol by members of the BIFF's hit squad who then quickly fled to a remote area in the province, Sermese said.
Responding soldiers and policemen later rushed the wounded to the hospital.
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The soldier sustained four gunshot wounds to his body and was in critical condition while Gurang was unscathed, SunStar reported further.
The BIFF is known for ambushes and bombings of power structures as well as bus and business establishments who refuse to pay them money.
Several BIFF factions are aligned with the Islamic State. Which faction the hit squad belonged to was not reported.
Investigations are ongoing.
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