Members of the
separatist Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) are reportedly preparing
retaliatory attacks to avenge the series of setbacks they suffered from the
military’s recent anti-terrorism campaign.
Informed sources
said the BIFF will also strongly oppose the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law
by staging attacks against the military.
“There is very
reliable information that the BIFF is out to avenge the series of military
operations against them, resulting in the death of dozens of militants,” the
source said.
It was earlier
reported that the BIFF is planning to stage bombing attacks in Metro Manila as
part of their plan to exact revenge on the military and to emphasize their
rejection of the BBL.
Several
improvised explosive devices (IED) were discovered by the military in separate
areas in Maguindanao in the past two weeks, which the source said was an
indication that the BIFF is planning something “serious.”
The military
claimed to have killed at least 129 BIFF separatists, including three ranking
commanders and also wounding hundreds of others in clashes in the outskirts of
Datu Piang, Shariff Aguak and Shariff Saydona towns in Maguindanao in the past
two months.
The military
campaign against the BIFF has also resulted to the arrest of Muhammad Ali
Tambako, the leader of the newly formed terrorist group Justice Islamic
Movement (JIM).
Tambako was
reportedly the most trusted commander of BIFF leader Umbra kato, a former top
MILF commander. The latter allegedly left the MILF because of differences with
MILF chairman Murad Ibrahim.
AFP Chief of
Staff Gen. Gregorio Catapang recently suspended military operations against the
BIFF to pave the way for the reconstruction of damaged houses and other
structures due to the intense fighting in Maguindanao.
However, Catapang
said despite the temporary suspension of operations, the military will continue
to hunt BIFF terrorists, including Abdul Basit Usman, the top adviser of BIFF
leader Umbra Kato.
http://manilastandardtoday.com/2015/04/13/biff-sets-retaliatory-strikes-vs-military/
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