Civilians denounce BIFF, violent extremism in Maguindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 21, 2021): Civilians denounce BIFF, violent extremism in Maguindanao (By Edwin Fernandez)

DENOUNCING TERROR GROUPS. Residents of conflict-affected Barangay Pagatin in Datu Salibo, Maguindanao set ablaze on Tuesday (July 20, 2021) an Islamic State flag being used by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in its violent extremism activities. The villagers (inset) also pledged to shun any support that would be asked from them by the BIFF and similar terrorist groups in ceremonies held at the headquarters of the Army's 6IB in the province. (Photo courtesy of 6ID)

The military in Maguindanao said Wednesday residents of a conflict-affected village in the province have denounced the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and the path of violent extremism bred by the terror group.

Lt. Col. Charlie Banaag, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Battalion (IB), said the people of Barangay Pagatin, Datu Salibo have withdrawn any support to the violent extremists, through simple ceremonies held at the 6IB headquarters in adjacent Barangay Magaslong, Datu Piang town on Tuesday.

Backed by barangay officials, civilians voluntarily took their oath of allegiance to the government.

The signing of a “fatwa”, a local edict that states they will denounce and no longer support all forms of violent extremism, followed the event.

Banaag said the activity was a result of the Community Support Program - Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (CSP-PCVE) conducted by the Bravo Company of the 6IB that aims to clear the barangay from the influence of the BIFF and other violent extremist groups.

The event, he said, also aimed to make the residents resilient from the recruitment of violent extremists to attain inclusive and sustainable peace and development in the community.

“Don't get lured in by these groups. If you need a living, you can find it everywhere. You just have to figure out how to create something out of it and remain a productive citizen of the municipality of Datu Salibo,” Banaag told reporters here.

In a separate interview, Teng Abdul, a resident of the village, pledged to report to authorities any sightings of the BIFF and similar groups in their area in the future.

“Di dapat suportahan ang BIFF. Nanggugulo lang sila (The BIFF should not be supported. They are just troublemakers),” he said.

Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division and head of the Joint Task Force Central, lauded the community for their support to the government’s anti-terrorism campaign.

“You are the end beneficiaries of this endeavor,” he said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1147718