‘BIFF strongholds revealed by MILF’

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang disclosed yesterday that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has identified to the military the strongholds of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Mindanao.

Speaking to reporters, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said reports have reached him that the military and police are coordinating with the MILF in running after the BIFF.

“The MILF is our partner in the peace process,” Coloma said.

“The places of encounter are included in the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.” 

Coloma said the administration considers the BIFF as a lawless element and a terrorist group, and that the military’s and the police’s mandate is to ensure peace and protect citizens.

“The Armed Forces and the National Police are always ready to give security to our citizens,” he said in Filipino.

Coloma said Armed Forces chief Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang’s pronouncements of an all-out war against the BIFF must not be misconstrued as a public relations ploy.

“The government has all the right to inform the public on military operations as civilians may be caught in the crossfire,” he said in Filipino.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said the MILF’s help in running after the BIFF is “a confidence building measure.”

“According to reports that reached me, there were instances when the two forces, the MILF and the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines), were able to help each other against the BIFF,” he said. “We cannot say if it will be continuous but they are coordinating with each other against lawless elements.” 

Gazmin said the prospects of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law being passed in Congress would improve if the BIFF is driven away.

“The people should be protected from BIFF members who are sowing disorder,” he said.  – With Delon Porcalla, Perseus Echeminada, Alexis Romero, Jaime Laude, John Unson