Military ends action against BIFF in Maguindanao

DATU ODIN SINSUAT, Philippines (Xinhua) - Government troops formally ended its weeklong offensive against members of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Maguindanao that left over 50 dead, a senior officer said today.

Major General Romeo Gapuz, chief of the Philippine Army's 6th Division, said there's is no need to extend their operation against followers of Ameril Umbra Kato, the founder of the BIFF, which broke away from Moro Islam Liberation Front (MILF) in 2008, adding the government troops have captured the rebels' main lair in Shariff Saidona town in Maguindanao.

"What we are doing now is working on stability of the areas affected by the hostilities," Gapuz said.

Brigadier General Eduardo Pangilinan, ground commander of 601st Brigade, said they call off the operation and focus more on clearing the rebel areas they overran for possible improvised bombs. The BIFF rebels in the area, he said, have splintered into small groups and hide in civilian communities.

"Their camp is located in areas comprising the towns of Datu Piang and Shariff Saidona. It's big in terms of area and it's just like community of civilians," Pangilinan said, adding the national flag was already raised by soldiers inside the rebel's turf.

"But our men are on a defensive mode," he added, saying civilians still cannot return to their homes unless their communities are clear of any bombs planted by the rebel group.

The BIFF has opposed peace talks between the Philippine government and the MILF which were concluded on Jan. 25 in Malaysia. The Philippine military have launched offensive operations against the BIFF since then.