MILF ‘involvement’ seen in BIFF attacks

From the Daily Tribune (Dec 30): MILF ‘involvement’ seen in BIFF attacks

The recent atrocities launched by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Central Mindanao may be part of the efforts by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to show dismay over the non-passage of its proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

Informed military sources yesterday raised such possibility, citing the timing of the attacks staged by BIFF in North Cotabato and Maguindanao — both known as MILF areas, recently.

“That is not far-fetched,” a ranking Camp Aguinaldo official replied when asked by The Tribune if the MILF could have had a hand in the BIFF atrocities.

“They could use it as leverage in the peace negotiations, in whatever ways they want. Remember that BIFF and MILF members are relatives, they come from the same areas,” the official added.

Despite Malacañang backing, the MILF-proposed BBL is yet to be passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives after four missed deadlines. In the Senate, the BBL is still in the period of interpellation while the House of Representatives has already concluded interpellation during its last session day.

But both Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, who chair the Senate and House of Representatives panels scrutinizing the BBL, had expressed optimism that the current Congress can still pass the bill.

“Giving the MILF the benefit of the doubt, they might not really be knowledgeable about the BIFF attacks but they can do something to stop these because they know the areas,” the source said.

The BIFF was founded in 2011 by former MILF commander Ameril Umbra Kato who was against the MILF leadership’s handling of the peace negotiations with the government.

 

However, many believed that the BIFF remains “closely knitted” with the MILF due to blood relations among members.

More than a dozen civilians were killed in Central Mindanao after BIFF launched separate attacks after Christmas.

Last Thursday, BIFF rebels, led by Sukarno Sapal, attacked a Christian village near a military detachment in Datu Abdulla Sangki town, Maguindanao and killed seven innocent farmers.

BIFF spokesman Abu Misry Mama even warned of more attacks against government forces in the coming days.

Col. Restituto Padilla, spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), said the attacks were meant to ensure that the BIFF gets the attention it wanted.

“Christmas time is a very significant occasion in the Christian calender…it is when they (BIFF) can get the attention they wanted by staging these attacks against innocent civilians,” he noted.

“They will bear the full force of the law. We will continue to hunt them down,” the military official added.

According to Padilla, the military remains on heightened alert in Mindanao regions to ensure the safe and peaceful celebration of the New Year.

He said there are areas where soldiers forgo their Yuletide break just to sustain military operations against threat groups.

“The AFP remains on heightened alert, and in coordination with the PNP (Philippine National Police), we will ensure that our people are protected,” Padilla stressed.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/milf-involvement-seen-in-biff-attacks