The BIFF is the breakaway group of the MILF, the dominant Muslim group that is negotiating a new autonomous government in Mindanao
ATTACKS: This file photo shows Al Qaeda's black flag that was seized in a BIFF camp in February 2014. Military photo
Government troops clashed with members of the breakaway Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) Thursday morning, September 11, leaving 2 soldiers and 10 rebels killed, the military said.
"We engaged
them around 6:40 am. We suffered 2 killed and 6 wounded. The enemy suffered 10
killed. Our troops are now scouring the area," said Army Major General
Edmundo Pangilinan, commander of the 6th Infantry Division based in
Maguindanao.
The residents
reported the 10 fatalities on the side of the BIFF, Pangilinan said in a phone
interview.
The BIFF
reportedly started harassing troops of the 40th Infantry Battalion 10 pm
Wednesday, hours after President Benigno Aquino III submitted to Congress
the proposed law creating a new autonomous government in Mindanao .
The troops
pursued the rebels and a 2-hour firefight erupted early morning Thursday. About
20 rebels were supposedly involved.
Pangilinan said
the situation is now under control and there is no danger that the firefights
will escalate. The military has coordinated with the Moro Islamic Liberation
Front (MILF) about the military operations.
"We told
them that we are only after the BIFF," Pangilinan said.
The BIFF is the
breakaway group of the MILF, the dominant Muslim group that negotiated a peace
pact with the government.
Pangilinan said
it was likely BIFF's way to protest the submission of the Bangsamoro draft law.
"Everytime
there is a breakthrough in the peace process, they conduct these kinds of
offensives and terroristic activities not only against our soldiers but against
civilians," said Pangilinan.
The Armed Forces
of the Philippines (AFP) has expressed its full support for the peace talks
with their former enemies in the MILF and vowed to protect the process from
"spoilers" such as the BIFF.
“The AFP welcomes
the announcement of the President that the BBL will be submitted to Congress
this week. We believe that the successful implementation of the peace process
with the eventual establishment of the Bangsamoro will provide the political
solution that will end the four-decade conflict in Mindanao ,”
said AFP chief General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr.
READ: Real peace means the guns will have to go away
Until the new
Bangsamoro entity as envisioned in the proposed law is in place, the military
and the MILF share the responsibility of securing large parts of central Mindanao . In February, cooperation between the 2 groups
led to the capture of BIFF camps.
The BIFF has been
identified as one of the biggest challenges that has
to be addressed to make the peace agreement successful.
The BIFF should
not be allowed to be the new MILF, according to officers, referring to the
MILF's split from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) after it signed a
peace pact with government in 1996.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/68812-clashes-biff-draft-bangsamoro-law
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