Philippines: Muslim Militants Pushed Out After Attacking Southern Town

Dozens of Filipino Muslim militants linked to the Islamic State attacked a southern Philippine town and engaged the military in a gunbattle Saturday until government troops drove them away, the military said. The militants with the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) group entered the town of Datu Paglas in Maguindanao province at dawn and took over the main public market, said Lt. Col. John Paul Baldomar, the local military spokesman. “Panicked civilians ran for safety and reported to the authorities and our military forces near the area were dispatched,” Baldomar saids. “We immediately sent forces there to evacuate the civilians.”…