Samama said they have heightened security measures in his town. He noted that the attack may have been perpetrated by the same group that attacked Datu Piang in December last year. But he quickly added they are “still investigating,” if, indeed it is the same group.
Datu Piang was attacked by members of the IS-linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) evening of December 3, 2020, which resulted to armed encounter between government forces – the military and police – and the the armed group that later managed to penetrate the downtown area near a Catholic church and school.
Before fleeing the town, the group burned a police car they captured during the siege.[]
Lt. Col. Anhouvic Atilano, then spokesperson of the 6th Infantry Division confirmed what he described as “harassment of the BIFF in Poblacion Datu Piang” but said it was under control by security forces before midnight. Atilano said reports that the church was burned or the school was attacked were not true but he confirmed the burning of a police car and police outpost.
On Tuesday, two students of the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, both members of the gay community, were gunned down inside campus. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Marawi City was under siege by IS-inspired Maute Group and the Abu Sayyaf in 2017 The five-month war displaced some 300,00 residents, killed at least a thousand combatants and civilians and left the country’s lone Islamic City in ruins.[]
