KIDAPAWAN CITY: Twelve people were killed, seven of them farmers, in fresh simultaneous attacks staged by the radical jihadists Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in the provinces of Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and North Cotabato on Christmas eve, military and police officials said.

Relatives of the slain civilian farmers celebrated a black Christmas without their loved ones as they decry the hostilities perpetrated by the BIFF.