Army ends offensives against BIFF bandits
CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao -- The military here announced Wednesday the termination of surgical operations against the Islamic State-linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Maguindanao, paving the way for the return of internally-displaced persons back to their homes.
Lt. Colonel Roberto Breboneria, speaking for the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6th ID), said Major Gen. Diosdado Carreon, 6th ID chief and head of Joint Task Force Central (JTFC), has ordered the cessation of operations starting Sunday, Aug. 4.
“The BIFF is already out of the area,” Breboneria said, referring to the “SPMS box” where the BIFF were reported massing up before the military offensive that commenced last July 25.
“SPMS box” is a military term for the adjoining towns Saudi Ampatuan, Pagatin (Datu Salibo), Mamasapano and Shariff Aguak in Maguindanao where the BIFF are often sighted on its peripheries.
Breboneria said that the Army is currently helping the officials of the affected towns bring back the displaced families to their respective communities using military trucks.
At least, 15 BIFF fighters and a soldier were killed after the military launched air and ground assaults BIFF in the boundary of North Cotabato and Maguindanao on July 25 and the series of skirmishes thereafter.
In a radio interview, Breboneria appealed to residents to alert the military if they notice lawless elements roaming in their communities.
He also urged the public to remain vigilant and be watchful of possible retaliatory attacks by the BIFF through roadside bombings and other terror acts.
Some 1,500 civilian families or 7,500 individuals were displaced by the two-week military campaign against the BIFF radicals in the province.
Ex-BIFF bandits given assistance
Meanwhile, 29 former combatants of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) were chosen as beneficiaries of a livelihood package extended on Tuesday by the Maguindanao provincial government.
Maguindanao Governor Bai Mariam SangkiMangudadatu led Tuesday’s distribution of livelihood assistance at the satellite Provincial Capitol grounds in Buluan town with actor Robin Padilla.
Mangudadatu expressed confidence that the assistance to the 29 beneficiaries would dissuade them from rejoining their comrades still in the jungles
fighting a lost cause.
The former BIFF rebels, who formed an association, were given 20 units of hand tractors with carts, bags of rice seedlings, 13 fishing boats, fishnets, and 60 packs of assorted groceries.
Mangudadatu said the assistance was made possible through the help of the Department of Agriculture of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
The governor encouraged the former rebels to convince their friends and relatives not to join extremist groups for the sake of their families.
“There is no more need to take up arms against the government because I promise to provide you with basic government services that would be brought to your communities,” she said during the turnover ceremony on Tuesday.
In a speech, Padilla encouraged the former rebels with stories of his own experiences as an actor in helping alleviate the plight of the Moro people.
Colonel Efren Baluyot, Army’s 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade commander lauded Lt. Colonel Rogelio Gabi, 40th Infantry Battalion commander, for initiating the gathering of all stakeholders for peace in his area of jurisdiction.
Baluyot also told the former rebels and the people they are serving in Maguindanao that the military is tired of war and that it also wants peace in the province.
“Violence is not a solution to social problems ion Maguindanao, violence will only bring more violence and problems and hamper the development of your area,” Baluyot said.