A suspected training camp of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in Maguindanao was reported cleared on the fifth day of the Armed Forces of the Philippines' all-out offensive against the outlawed armed group, GMA News' 24 Oras program reported on Tuesday.
According to the report, the AFP's infantry and mechanized brigade did not encounter any members of the BIFF in the Madrasa Arabic school in Brgy. Kitango in Datu Saudi.
But traces of the armed group's presence were recovered. These include including communication devices, machine gun tripods and empty IV fluid containers indicating that the group could have some wounded members.
One of the residents near the school confirmed that a BIFF commander who was the target of the clearing operations lives in a house on the school grounds.
“Paminsan-minsan lang. Matagal na,” the resident said.
Other residents expressed their fear of both the AFP and the armed groups imposing their presence in the area.
“Takot na takot kami sa sundalo pati sa Freedom (BIFF). Pareho naman silang sundalo, may baril sila,” a resident said.
“Gaya ng MI (Moro Islamic Liberation Front), kaibigan din pero hindi natin masasabi na masama siya, hindi natin masasabi na maganda siya,” said another resident.
Meanwhile, members of the MILF pulled out from the area earlier to avoid a misencounter with the AFP and their troops.
The MILF has signed a peace agreement with the government.
The BIFF, a breakaway group of the MILF, is supposedly opposed to the peace process.
The BIFF, a breakaway group of the MILF, is supposedly opposed to the peace process.
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