MILF reinforced BIFF in Maguindanao clash

From GMA News (Jul 28): MILF reinforced BIFF in Maguindanao clash

Over 100 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels reinforced embattled members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Wednesday's encounter with government forces, a Mindanao-based military commander bared Thursday.

Col. Cirilito Sobejana of the Army's 601st Brigade said they had to contact the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities to avoid the situation from spinning out of control.

"What happened was not good but we found a solution to end it," Sobejana said. "They met and agreed, both parties agreed to a ceasefire."

The CCCH is the mechanism established by the government and the MILF to maintain the ceasefire following the signing of a peace agreement in 2014.

"BIFF yung kalaban namin, but as the encounter progresses nagkaroon ng intervention... sumama na yung MI[LF] in support to the BI[FF]," Sobejana said.

Two soldiers were wounded in the clash, which took place in Barangay Pamalian in Shariff Saydona Mustapha town.

Sobejana said the MILF forces came from its 118th and 105th Base Commands — the same units that helped them in their pursuit against BIFF leader Ismael Abubakar alias Kumander Bungos weeks ago.

"Now, in our desire to get Bungos, we conducted pursuit operations and in the course of the hot pursuit we caught up with Karialan's group,” said Sobejana, referring to the BIFF faction under Imam Minimbang alias Kumander Karialan.

Karialan is the cousin of Kumander Wahid Tundok, commander of the MILF's 105th Base Command. Sobejana said although the Army had a truce with Wahid's group, Wahid had to side with Karialan because "blood is thicker than water."

Sobejana said he has reason to believe that the actions of the 105th and 118th Base Commands did not have the blessing of the MILF leadership.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/575502/news/regions/milf-reinforced-biff-in-maguindanao-clash-military