BIFF attack not connected to Marawi siege — Palace, military

DAVAO CITY , Philippines  – Both Malacañang and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) claimed that the recent attack carried out by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Pigkawayan, North Cotabato was a desperate attempt to recover from setbacks brought about by ongoing military operations against the rebels.

“The BIFF attack in Pigkawayan, North Cotabato yesterday has been assessed to have no connection to the ongoing Marawi City rebellion. It is seen as the BIFF’s attempt to recover from more than two weeks of setbacks from ongoing operations of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division,” presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said during the Mindanao Hour press briefing here in Davao City yesterday. 

Brig. Gen. Gilbert Gapay, Armed Forces Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) deputy commander, likewise said that the attacks were desperate moves by the BIFF because they feel the pressure of the ongoing operations against them in North Cotabato. 

“We have a dedicated military unit that addresses the BIFF and they are separate from those who are tasked to go after the Maute terror group in Marawi City,” Gapay said. 

Besides, Gapay said the BIFF has long been noted to carry out attacks against small military units and barangays. 

Gapay said the BIFF is also known for using villagers or even school children as human shields to cover their escape whenever they flee an area if pushed into a corner.

He explained that although both the BIFF and the Maute group had pledged allegiance to the international terrorist group Islamic State (IS) sometime in 2015, there is no indication that the incident in Barangay Malagkit, Pigkawayan was connected to the ongoing conflict in Marawi City that started last May 23.

The AFP said military units have rescued 31 hostages taken by the BIFF as well as 73 other residents trapped in the area.

The AFP said the clashes in Pigkawayan between troopers and the BIFF have resulted in the death of six rebels, one soldier and one civilian, while eight guerrillas and two other troopers were injured.

Local officials said the recent fighting had displaced 1,707 residents.

Threat to Davao City

Authorities are not ignoring the threats by the BIFF to attack Davao City to avenge the death of several rebels in recent clashes with the military.

The threats were written on blackboards in classrooms and in the barangay hall of Barangay Malagkit in Pigkawayan that was attacked by about 300 BIFF rebels last Wednesday.

“While we doubt the capability of the BIFF to proceed to areas far from central Mindanao to sow terror, our units are not taking chances,” Captain Arvin Encinas, public affairs chief of the 6th Infantry Division, told The STAR yesterday.

– With Evelyn Macairan, Janvic Mateo, John Unson