BARMM in dialogue with 2 BIFF groups for peace and order, says Ebrahim

Posted to GMA News Online (Jan 22, 2021): BARMM in dialogue with 2 BIFF groups for peace and order, says Ebrahim (By ANNA FELICIA BAJO, GMA News)

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is having a dialogue with two of the three groups of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters as it aims to end atrocities in the region.

At a virtual press conference Friday, Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim was asked about the attacks being perpetrated in Maguindanao province.

"Actually these are perpetrated by some group of the BIFF. The BIFF is now split into three groups, we are in dialogue with two of the three groups and it was quite progressive as I've said, some members from this group who expressed their willingness to rejoin the MILF," Ebrahim said.

He said one of the three BIFF groups was "not responding positively in the dialogue." This means addressing the security concerns in the region could take some time as some are still "trying to sabotage the peace process," Ebrahim noted.

Aside from having a dialogue, Ebrahim said the BARMM is also aiming to dismantle the private armies in the region.

"We will disband the private armies in the area because we know that private armies, the existence of the private armies is one factor that is contributing to the peace and order situation in the area," Ebrahim said.

The BARMM will also create joint peace and security teams, together with the police and military, to prevent atrocities in the area.—LDF, GMA News

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/regions/772841/barmm-in-dialogue-with-2-biff-groups-for-peace-and-order-says-ebrahim/story/