Palace assures no escalation of hostilities between military, BIFM

From the Sun Star (Jul 8): Palace assures no escalation of hostilities between military, BIFM

MALACAÑANG assured Monday that the renewed skirmishes between the government troops and the breakaway Muslim rebels in Maguindanao and North Cotabato provinces would not escalate to other places.

Quoting the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said that the security mechanisms of the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have already been working to contain the hostilities that erupted between the Army troops and the over 100 members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFM).

"OPAPP (Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process) is confident that the escalation of violence can be prevented by the CCCH (Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities) and the AHJAG (Ad Hoc Joint Action Group) and other security mechanisms," she said in a text message.

The CCCH is comprised of members from the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the MILF, as well as neutral parties. Established in 2003, it has been tasked to monitor the implementation of the GPH-MILF Ceasefire Agreement and resolve complaints over ceasefire violations so that small skirmishes do not intensify.

On the other hand, the AHJAG is a joint effort of both parties, seeking to interdict and isolate lawless elements that take refuge in or near MILF communities.

The BIFM, founded by former MILF commander Ameril Umbra Kato, broke away from the MILF in 2010 after the latter dropped the call for an independent Islamic state. The government considers BIFM as a lawless element and not another rebel group.

Amid the BIFM attacks, Valte said the military will keep the peace during Ramadan and will act accordingly should harassment continue to persist.

A least five soldiers and scores of insurgents were killed in the clashes over the weekend.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2013/07/08/palace-assures-no-escalation-hostilities-between-military-bifm-291414