MILF helping govt in operations vs. BIFF – Palace

From GMA News (Jan 28): MILF helping govt in operations vs. BIFF – Palace

Malacañang on Tuesday said the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is helping law enforcers in its operations against its splinter group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. said the military and the police are conducting joint law enforcement operations to serve arrest warrants against members of the BIFF, who had an encounter with government troops after the signing of the last annex of the peace agreement with the MILF on Saturday.

“According to the Philippine Army, the MILF are part of the operations to secure their communities and prevent entry of BIFF elements,” Coloma said during a press briefing.

But Coloma said government troops were not surprised by the attack since it was them who went on the offensive.

“Sila ay nagsasagawa ng patrol, sila ay nagsasagawa ng paghahanap sa mga suspects na may mga warrant of arrest nang nagkaroon ng encounter. At ayon din sa mga ulat, sinusuportahan sila ng mga elemento ng MILF, dahil isa rin sa mga layunin ng MILF ay pigilin yung pagpasok ng BIFF sa mga MILF communities," he said.

“Tila nandoon tayo sa kabilang panig na active naman yung engagement... at meron namang sapat na kakayahan ang pamahalaan na sagutin ang challenge mula sa BIFF,” Coloma added.

As for reports about foreign terrorists or militants allegedly infiltrating the area together with the BIFF, Coloma said law enforcers remain on alert.

“Makatitiyak tayo na ang lahat ng mga galaw ng mga pinaghihinalaang terorista, galing man sa loob ng bansa o sa labas ng bansa, ay tinututukan ng ating intelligence forces at sasagutin ‘yan ng karampatang aksyon ng Armed Forces of the Philippines," he said.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/345891/news/nation/milf-helping-govt-in-operations-vs-biff-palace