At least 20 members of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) were killed in the clash with the Philippine government forces in Pikit, North Cotabato last Saturday, the military said on Monday.

Col. Noel Clement, commander of the army's 602nd Brigade, said the figure was based on information provided by military personnel on the ground and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) which helped in the conduct of the operations.

"We do not have the exact figures because many of the casualties were buried in mass graves by their comrades while they were withdrawing. Based on the reports that we are getting, probably the minimum is 20 casualties," Clement said.

The army are examining possible locations of mass graves but ruled out exhuming the bodies because "we have to consider the sensitivities of their religion", according to Clement.

Muslim tradition dictates that bodies be buried within 24 hours of death.

The military fired at least 50 artillery rounds towards the BIFF positions in Pikit last Saturday based on information provided by the MILF.

The BIFF, founded by former Moro Islamic Liberation Front commander Ameril Umbra Kato, defected to the MILF in late 2010 after the latter decided to drop its call for an independent Islamic state. Endi

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