Clashes continue in South

From the Mindanao Examiner (Aug 2, 2019): Clashes continue in South

Security forces continue its operations against pro-ISIS group called Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters or BIFF and its allies in several areas in the restive Muslim provinces of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur.

Civilians were forced to flee their homes following weeks of sporadic clashes between soldiers and militants, whose separatist group has been largely blamed for terror attacks in Mindanao region.

Despite the fighting, provincial and regional government officials did not say if they have taken immediate steps in securing civilians or protecting them from the violence that gripped the province for many years now.

Just recently, a government soldier was wounded in fighting with BIFF in Dasawa village in Shariff Saydona Mustapha town, also in Maguindanao where 9 militants were reported killed by the military campaign.

The 6th Infantry Division said the soldier was the second casualties in the battle which started last month when militants killed an army sniper, Sergeant Ahmad Mahmood, on July 25.

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, said the armed campaign against the militants, whose leaders have pledged allegiance to ISIS, will not stop until the Islamic extremist group is neutralized.

“Deliberate offensives against terrorists continue, inflicting more casualties and impeding any hostile plans of terrorists as military troops attempt to penetrate enemy strongholds in Maguindanao. Troops from the Joint Task Force Central Mindanao have beefed up their campaign to pound terrorist groups and neutralize their leaders in Central Mindanao,” he said.

Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur are under the Muslim autonomous region, but Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim did not release any statement or reports on the exodus of civilians in areas where fighting broke out.

It was unknown whether Ebrahim has ordered a humanitarian mission to aid those displaced by the war or had visited evacuation centers. Other pro-ISIS groups and communist insurgents were also fighting soldiers in Lanao del Sur.

Two soldiers were also wounded in recent fighting between security forces and the communist rebel group New People’s Army in the town of Lumba Bayabao. Troops were trying to flush out some 180 rebels in Lanao del Sur who fled military campaign in nearby Bukidnon province.

Brig. Gen. Romeo Brawner, commander of the 103rd Infantry Brigade, has urged rebels to surrender peacefully. “Instead of continuing a futile armed struggle where thousands of innocent citizens are being abused and caught in the crossfire, the NPA members should consider surrendering and avail the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Livelihood and Integration Program so they could enjoy living normal lives and spend quality time with their loved ones,” he said.

The NPA has been fighting for many decades now for the establishment of a separate communist state in the country. Peace talks with the government in the past and the current Duterte administration had collapsed after rebel leaders demanded the release of hundreds of jailed members before signing a cease-fire deal. (Mindanao Examiner)

https://mindanaoexaminer.com/clashes-continue-in-south/