ZAMBOANGA CITY: Dozens of gunmen allied with the Islamic State (IS) raided the southern town of Datu Piang in Maguindanao province, attacking the municipal hall and Police station station as well as a Catholic church and a Philippine Army post, and torching a prowl car before escaping under cover of darkness on Thursday, according to officials.

The officials said the police on Friday launched a massive operation to track down at least 50 members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and Dawlah Islamiya (DI), who are fighting for the establishment of a separate state in the volatile Mindanao region.