Philippines: Suspect Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) members storm Cotabato jail, 158 inmates freed
More than 150 inmates of the provincial jail here escaped when suspected Muslim rebels stormed the facility in a pre-dawn raid yesterday, killing one guard, authorities said.
A two-hour firefight broke out when more than 100 armed men, believed to be members of the extremist Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), attacked the jail at about 1 a.m., according to jail authorities.
“It was not a jailbreak. It was a planned rescue of certain detainees. It’s to rescue their comrades under our custody. It is a rescue operation,” jail warden Peter John Bongat said.
Initial reports said at least 158 inmates had escaped. It was unclear how many of them were linked to the raiders.