Army keeps tabs of MNLF in Northern Mindanao

From Solar News (Feb 13): Army keeps tabs of MNLF in Northern Mindanao

The Philippine Army's 4th Infantry Division on Thursday allayed fears that Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) forces in Northern Mindanao might link up with Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

This followed pronouncements attributed to the MNLF-Misuari Faction that it has entered into a tactical alliance with the BIFF with the intention of fighting side-by-side against government forces.

Calling the apparent merger of the two Moro forces as an “organic reunification,” the Nur Misuari faction of the MNLF affirmed that it has formed an ‘informal’ tactical alliance with the BIFF, and vowed to assist the BIFF if the military continues to apply pressure on the renegade armed group.

Capt. Christian Uy, Spokesman of the 4th Infantry Division based in Cagayan de Oro City, said the MNLF forces in Northern Mindanao appear to remain dormant, for now, and show no indications of taking part in the armed struggle of the MNLF-Misuari Faction.

Uy said that, although the MNLF in Northern Mindanao is not expected to sympathize with the MNLF Misuari Faction, the military will keep monitoring its activities and movements.

Uy said security forces remain on heightened alert despite the absence of sightings of BIFF trying to enter the 4ID’s areas of responsibility.

http://www.solarnews.ph/news/regional/2014/02/13/army-keeps-tabs-of-mnlf-in-northern-mindanao#.Uv2QkXKPIcA