Mindanao Mayhem: One Soldier Lost, Civilians Beat the Odds
The Big Picture
After a five‑month tangle over Marawi that buried more than 1,100 souls, Philippine forces are on a relentless hunt for Muslim fighters tied to the Islamic State. This latest skirmish proves that the fight is far from over.
The Gun‑Fire and the Bomb‑Blast
While soldiers were tracing BIFF gunmen up a mountain trail near Datu Unsay, a shot took a brave officer down. Later, a roadside bomb—aimed at a friendly convoy in Datu Hoffer—mistakenly hit three civilians instead.
Who’s Who?
Below is a quick snapshot of the players and what went on:
- BIFF (Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters) – Allegedly trained by the infamous Zulkifli bin Hir
- Zulkifli bin Hir – a Malaysian “bomb‑maker” who was killed in 2016 in this very region.
- Marawi Strike Force – the unit that handled the clearing operation on Tuesday.
- Civilians – three local residents who unwittingly became part of a military mishap.
Why It Matters
Mindanao is the spiritual home of the Muslim minority in a mostly Catholic country. Even after Marawi’s fall and a 2014 peace deal, armed resistance still echoes, claiming roughly 100,000 lives over the decades.
What the Army Told Us
Military spokesperson Captain Arvin Encinas said the soldier was “involved in a clearing operation” and that the bomb‑makers “are students of Marwan.” This indicates a continued trend of trained bomb script‑writers in the area—surely not the scented bubble of safety the convoy expected.
Takeaway
There’s a simmering fire in Mindanao. Every report reminds us that the rivalry between the government, militant groups, and the everyday people is far from finished.
