The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) concluded on
Monday the month-long military offensive focused against the Bangsamoro Islamic
Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Maguindanao which resulted in the neutralization of
more than 50 percent of the brigands' strength.
"Effective today (March 30), the all-out offensive
against the BIFF would be ended. After the relentless operations against the
BIFF, we have achieved our objectives, including the neutralization of more
than 50 percent of their ranks, the capture of bomb factories, and the seizure
of their enclaves or safe havens in different Maguindanao localities," AFP
Chief of Staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang said.
Operations against the BIFF started last Feb. 25 when the
bandits started encroaching on civilian communities in Maguindanao and North Cotabato .
"We have accounted for 139 enemies killed, 53 wounded
and 12 captured. They are now splintered into small groups to evade the
pursuing soldiers. They are defeated in the battlefield by our gallant
soldiers, marines and policemen," Catapang said.
In the same effort, 10 troopers were killed and another 31
wounded.
"With the cooperation extended by the local government
officials, residents and even our partners in peace, and the Moro Islamic
Liberation Front (MILF), the BIFF remnants have nowhere to hide," the AFP
chief stressed.
Despite the cessation of focused military offensive against
the bandit group, Catapang assured the public that the military continuously
pursue them in their temporary hideouts inside the Liguasan marshlands and even
in the mountainous areas.
"We are now entering the new phase of our operation
which is peace and development. I want to emphasize that still, we will
continuously deploy forces to secure communities and deny the BIFF entry into
their former enclaves in Maguindanao. We will continue to hunt down the
terrorists like Basit Usman and his cohorts who are now hiding outside the
conflict areas," he added.
Starting this Monday, Catapang said that the AFPwill
coordinate with the regional government of the Autonomous Region in Muslim
Mindanao (ARMM) and the province of Maguindanao for the safe return of the
residents back to their homes.
"It is very important to note that from as high as
120,000 evacuees last month, they are now down to about 90,000 people who have
remained in various evacuation centers and houses of relatives. We understand
the physical and emotional challenges experienced by the non-combatants who
were among those who were adversely affected by the armed conflict with the
BIFF," Catapang pointed out.
"Now that we have driven out the armed BIFF members and
the small group of terrorists led by Basit Usman, we will focus our attention
in rebuilding the affected communities. We will help the LGUs, other government
agencies, and the national government as a whole in delivering public services
to the people. We will support the implementation of development projects that
are intended to spur the economic activities in these areas," he stressed.
President Benigno S. Aquino III has initially approved the
release of PhP67 million that would be used for various socio-economic
interventions for the people of Maguindanao, including the Bridge for Peace in
Barangay Tukanalipao, Schools for Peace and Roads for Peace that will benefit the
people.
Catapang said they are now calling on everyone to help the
people in the affected communities to go back to their normal lives and support
their pursuit for lasting peace.
He added that the AFP would like to see "Maguindanao as
a highly-developed area where people enjoy peace, progress and prosperity that
we all want for the whole of Mindanao and the
entire nation."
"Rest assured that your Armed Forces of the Philippines
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=748988
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