A military spokesperson clarified Tuesday that the recent operation against Muslim splinter group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), which led to the death of 17 rebels, had nothing to do with the signing of the last annex for the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement.
Col. Dickson Hermoso, spokesperson of the Armed Forces 6th infantry division, said the offensive was due to the “excesses of the BIFF in North Cotabato and Maguindanao.”
“Unang una, I would like to correct the misimpression that the recently signed Normalization Annex is connected with the operation. The law enforcement operation we launched together with the police of Maguindanao yesterday e kadugtong ng mga ginawa naming operations sa mga nakaraang buwan at taon,” he said in an interview with GMA News TV's News To Go.
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which some BIFF members broke from, and the government panel signed the Normalization Annex on Saturday.
AFP public affairs chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said the law enforcement operation was conducted to to battle lawless elements such as the BIFF and other auxiliary groups that threaten the community and the safety and security of the people residing in it.
“We consider them as peace spoilers. They may do actions that are detrimental to our peace process that is advancing greatly,” he said in an interview with reporters.
Hermoso said intense fighting erupted when BIFF members refused to accept arrest warrants issued by the court.
“We consider them as peace spoilers. They may do actions that are detrimental to our peace process that is advancing greatly,” he said in an interview with reporters.
Hermoso said intense fighting erupted when BIFF members refused to accept arrest warrants issued by the court.
“Nagbakbakan ng umaga at nagtapos ng alas-kwatro ng hapon. May dalawang slightly wounded na sundalo, okay naman sila ngayon. Dun sa BIFF, as what we got from the ground, may 17 na nasawi at patuloy na bineberipika ng barangay peace and order council ang iba,” he said.
He said no BIFF member was arrested but government troops were able to seize firearms and improvised explosive devices.
BIFF has at least 100 members, according to the AFP official, noting that Shariff Saydona Mustafa, where the fighting occurred, is a rebel stronghold.
“Nung maitaboy natin sila sa Guindulungan and Talayan, Maguindanao nung nakaraang taon dahil hinarangan at sinarahan 'yung kahabaan ng highway, tumakbo sila sa bundok ng Reina Regente which is the boundary of Saydona and Datu Piang. Nag-put up sila ng stronghold doon,” he said.
He said the number of BIFF fighters usually increase during operations because of the help coming from their relatives who are members of private armed groups.
He said the military and police operation against the BIFF will continue with or without the signing of the peace agreement with the MILF.
“Yes, precisely. Dahil 'yung pag-commit ng krimen ay walang pinipiling oras o araw kaya 24/7 din 'yung aming paghahabol sa mga miyembro ng BIFF na involved sa mga nangyayaring krimen sa Central Mindanao,” he said.
BIFF ‘crimes’
BIFF ‘crimes’
Hermoso said among the crimes of BIFF were the attack on military and police camps, and hostaging and killing of teachers and civilians in Midsayap last September.
He also said the BIFF is involved in extortion regarding the irrigation project of the National Irrigation Administration in Pikit, Cotabato.
“Napuno na ang tao at local government units kaya tuloy-tuloy 'yung paghabol simula kahapon,” the spokesperson said.
The BIFF usually stages offensives when the MILF and the government panel are in Malaysia for the peace talks, Hermoso noted.
“Galing sila sa hanay ng MILF pero 'yung ideology nila, eh, more on extortion, pananakot. Hindi kapareho sa MILF, kung ano ang gusto nilang mangyari, dahil opposed sila sa ongoing talks ng MILF at government. This is a small group na ayaw nila ng mapayapang solusyon sa Mindanao,” he said.
Zagala said the military has enough troops to handle the BIFF but he cannot assure that there will be no spillover.
“There is already a plan and, of course, we cannot remove the possibility of a spillover that's why we are preventing that. If it will escalate, we have enough troops to handle the estimated 300 BIFF force, there's enough forces on the ground to address any threat,” he said.
News To Go reported that the residents of Brgy. Ganta and neighboring communities in Shariff Saydona Mustafa and Datu Salibo, both in Maguindanao, have left their houses since the fighting erupted.
In Brgy. Magaslong, Datu Piang, the GMA team saw evacuees from Lower Damabalas and barangays Pendi and Penditen.
“Oo, wala nang mga tao doon, yung plane ba dalawa ang nagbomba, putukan pa, mga baka, mga palay namin naiwan na," said Kadilon Magaluyan of Lower Damabalas.
Foreign terrorists
Mayor Benzar Ampatuan of Mamasapano, Maguindanao said they received information that among the ranks of BIFF are two foreign terrorists.
Zagala said the military has enough troops to handle the BIFF but he cannot assure that there will be no spillover.
“There is already a plan and, of course, we cannot remove the possibility of a spillover that's why we are preventing that. If it will escalate, we have enough troops to handle the estimated 300 BIFF force, there's enough forces on the ground to address any threat,” he said.
News To Go reported that the residents of Brgy. Ganta and neighboring communities in Shariff Saydona Mustafa and Datu Salibo, both in Maguindanao, have left their houses since the fighting erupted.
In Brgy. Magaslong, Datu Piang, the GMA team saw evacuees from Lower Damabalas and barangays Pendi and Penditen.
“Oo, wala nang mga tao doon, yung plane ba dalawa ang nagbomba, putukan pa, mga baka, mga palay namin naiwan na," said Kadilon Magaluyan of Lower Damabalas.
Foreign terrorists
Mayor Benzar Ampatuan of Mamasapano, Maguindanao said they received information that among the ranks of BIFF are two foreign terrorists.
"Yung initial na report na ibinigay sa atin, may mga foreign terrorist na kasali, kasama sa operation na ito. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang pangalan pero yun yung mga report na galing sa baba," he said.
The television report said Abu Misry Mama, BIFF spokesperson, denied the AFP claim on the number of casualties from their group. He said only one BIFF member was wounded.
The television report said Abu Misry Mama, BIFF spokesperson, denied the AFP claim on the number of casualties from their group. He said only one BIFF member was wounded.
He also denied that among them were foreign terrorists.
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