The armed conflict between the military and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFM) will not affect the on-going peace process between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Mujiv Hataman said.

“BIFM is a breakaway group of the MILF. It is a lawless element. Pati MILF, kinondemn na yan,” Hataman said in a phone interview with GMA News Online.

“Ngayon, the conflict is contained in four municipalities in Maguindanao. We’re very optimistic [they] will arrive at a resolution soon,” he said.

The Governor said that the provincial government will be filing cases and issuing warrants of arrest against BIFM.

“But the priority right now is to ensure safety and protection of innocent civilians,” Hataman said.

“We have already resumed relief operations,” he added.

Securing the national highway

In a separate interview, 6th Infantry Division spokesperson Col. Prudencio Asto told GMA News Online that the AFP is currently moving in to secure the national highway connecting Cotabato City and General Santos City.

“BIFM has been practicing guerilla tactics kaya medyo nahihirapan kami,” Asto said.

“But I think we’ll have control of the national highway by this week,” he added.

Asto confirmed four casualties on the side of the military: Sgt. Sonny P. Estabillo, Pfc Arsenio Nunescan, Pfc Henry Caunga, and Pvt Duniel Aragon.

The military official also noted 15 casualties among the rebels.

MILF: Attack is unjustifiable

In a statement released on their website luwaran.net, MILF said that the BIFM's attack is unjustifiable.

“The rationale over the death of a boy in an ambush more than two months ago by combined Army and paramilitary forces is narrow. It does not justify retaliation of that wide magnitude,” the statement read.

Moreover, the organization said the “offensive is directly aimed at shaming the MILF.”

“It is no secret that one of the reasons why the [BIFM] bolted away from the MILF was over their stiff opposition to MILF’s policy to talk peace with the 'enemy.' To them, the only way to deal with the enemy is through the barrel of the gun,” the group noted.

The MILF also said that it ordered members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) to "stay put and exert all efforts to prevent any spillover of the fighting into their areas.”

Over 25,000 affected

The armed conflict between the military and the rebels started when the BIFM attacked eight military detachments on August 5.

According to the latest report of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the skirmish has affected over 5,120 families or more than 25,650 individuals.

Classes have also been suspended in at least 16 schools, affecting 10,572 pupils and 260 teachers. - BM, GMA News