Thursday, February 19, 2015

Military units to enter MILF-BIFF conflict areas to deescalate tension

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 19): Military units to enter MILF-BIFF conflict areas to deescalate tension

In a bid to stop the recent fighting between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), which has now caused the dislocation of thousands of families in Maguindanao and North Cotabato, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced that it is looking at the possibility of entering into the conflict affected areas in order to deescalate the volatile situation.

This was stressed by AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Thursday.

He also said that most of the fighting between the MILF and BIFF was triggered by "rido" or clan wars.

Catapang said AFP units will enter the affected areas in Maguindanao in an effort to get the parties involved in the fighting to stand down.

He said the military will also try to determine the exact cause of the conflict and act as some sort of arbiter while they are in the area.

Catapang said all military movement will be done in coordination with the MILF.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=737197

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