AFP: Foreign fighters join BIFF

MANILA, Philippines — The military yesterday confirmed foreign jihadists have joined the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in North Cotabato.

“Yes, positive, there are foreign-looking fighters seen there,” Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Maj. Gen. Restituto Padilla said.

“But we have not yet ascertained who they are. They are foreign-looking but we need to validate and ascertain. We are not sure (if they came from Marawi City) but chances are they are a different group,” he added. 

Several foreign fighters were killed in the battle of Marawi, among them Malaysians, Indonesians, and reportedly even Chechens and Arabs.

Marawi has been devastated by the siege by the Maute militants who waved Islamic State-style black flags and hung them on buildings they had occupied in the city for five months.

After the liberation of Marawi last month, the military has focused on battling the BIFF in Central Mindanao.

Padilla said the Army’s 6th Infantry Division is leading the offensive against the BIFF in North Cotabato.

He explained Caucasians could be any nationality.

“That’s why there’s a need to further check and verify who the foreign-looking fighters are. Our operations against the BIFF are continuing through the 6th Infantry Division under the leadership of Maj. Gen. Arnel dela Vega,” Padilla said.

The AFP launched artillery attacks against BIFF militants in Carmen, North Cotabato over the weekend with the help of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Barangays Tonganon and Bentagon. 

Some 230 families or 2,000 individuals near Aleosan town have been ordered evacuated as government forces pursue the group of BIFF commander Abu Torayfe who is allegedly trying to establish a presence in key areas of North Cotabato. 

Earlier last week, the AFP said it has also launched air and ground strikes against the BIFF in the province of Maguindanao.