BIFF harassment forces military to reposition its troops in Maguindanao

From the Daily Tribune (Aug 11): BIFF harassment forces military to reposition its troops in Maguindanao

Members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) have been continuously harassing military detachments in Maguindanao province, prompting the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (ID) to reposition its troops away from civilian communities.

Col. Dickson Hermoso, spokesman of the 6th ID, said that the command repositioned its 61st Division Reconnaissance Company and 62nd DRC detachments in Barangays Ganta in Shariff Saydo Mustapha town, and Damablas, Datu Piang, respectively, to protect civilians.

Hermoso said that the harassments by the BIFF, which started Aug. 8, went on until Saturday but no casualty was reported on the government side.
“It (BIFF harassment) has been continuing up to yesterday (Saturday)…they would attack then run. There is no fatality,” Hermoso said.

“They (BIFF) are just seeking attention,” he added.

At around midnight  Friday, Hermoso said that an explosion occurred about 300 meters from the Ganta Detachment which was followed by other harassments in the morning of Saturday.

Since the two detachments were near civilian communities, Hermoso said that the command decided to reposition its troops but also within barangas Ganta and Damablas.

“We have repositioned our soldiers so that the civilians will not be affected when BIFF attacks. This is to protect the civilians,” Hermoso said.

Hermoso stressed that the BIFFs were on offensive mode while the military remains on defensive position.

The BIFF, headed by Ameril Umbra Kato, is a breakaway faction of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) which is currently talking peace with the government.

Kato broke away from the MILF in 2011 and founded BIFF due to differences with the MILF leadership in handling the peace negtoiations. Kato is said to be a hardliner in pursuing an independent Islamic state in Mindanao.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/biff-harassment-forces-military-to-reposition-its-troops-in-maguindanao