ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Joint Task Force Central reported on Monday that a soldier was killed while two others were wounded when individuals believed to be members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters attacked a group of soldiers and civilians guarding the repair of the damaged Kabulnan Bridge in Datu Hoffer Ampatuan town in Maguindanao del Sur province.

JTF-Central commander Maj. Gen. Roy Galido disclosed that that at least 15 BIFF-Karialan Faction members attacked soldiers from the 40th Infantry (Giting) Battalion and civilians who were securing the damaged Kabulnan Bridge in Barangay Labu-Labu II in Datu Hoffer Ampatuan town on Friday night.

Reports said that the attackers were led by commander Abdulkarim Lumbatan alias Boy Jacket and Kamhed Akan Kambal alias Mhedz — both from the Karialan faction.

According to Galido, the clash went on for 90 minutes and identified the slain soldier as Private First Class Jomar Saladar while those who were injured were identified as CPL Allan Rey Estanda and Private Carl Araña who were both given medical attention.

"It is painful to think that while your soldiers are giving their lives in rescuing and helping our countrymen affected by the flooding, the BIFF has done nothing but sow violence," Galido said.

In other developments, two members of a local terrorist group were killed in a clash with government forces in Shariff Aguak town of this province over the weekend.

Philippine Army 33rd Infantry Battalion head Lt. Col Benjamin Cadiente Jr. identified one of the two fatalities as Omar Indong, a member of the BIFF-Karialan faction operating at the border of this province and Maguindanao del Sur while the other was still unidentified.

Cadiente said troops manning a checkpoint in Barangay Kuloy, Shariff Aguak noticed an approaching tricycle at about 1:30 a.m. Saturday when a shootout erupted.

"When the personnel of Bravo Company, 33IB were about to check the tricycle, the rider disembarked and suddenly fired towards the approaching troops which prompted them to return fire. The firefight lasted seven minutes," Cadiente said.

Soldiers rushed the wounded suspects to the Maguindanao provincial hospital but were declared dead on arrival by attending physicians.