[Mindanao Examiner] Philippine soldiers killed two separatist militants in a gun battle that erupted Wednesday afternoon in Datu Unsay town in Maguindanao province.Troops were on patrol when two motorcycle gunmen opened fire on them, triggering a firefight that left attackers, who were members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, dead. Another group of gunmen, backing those who were slain, also attacked the soldiers, but fled when security forces engaged them in a running firefight that lasted about 15 minutes.
Capt. Jo Ann Petinglay, a spokeswoman for the 6th Infantry Division, said one of those slain in the fighting was among those who killed two army soldiers guarding a hospital on October 22. Just last month, security forces captured BIFF militant Zainudin Kawilan, who was also tagged as behind the killing of the soldiers in the hospital. Kawilan was a follower of BIFF commander Sukarno Sapal.