Duterte to BARMM officials: Refuse sanctuary to BIFF members

President Rodrigo Duterte has asked local leaders in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao to refuse terrorist armed groups seeking sanctuary in their communities.

Duterte said keeping the bandits out of the BARMM was necessary to prevent him from ordering an all-out military offensive against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in the area.

“This cannot go on. Kung hindi ko mapigilan and there will be an all-out offensive, 'yan na ang problema. If I give the order, I will no longer withdraw it,” he pointed out.

[If they cannot be stopped and there will be an all-out offensive, that will be a problem.]

“Nagmamakaawa ako, tulungan niyo ako. Because otherwise, if I give the order for an all-out offensive, it will be bloody and it will be sad,” he added.

[I'm begging you. Help me. Because otherwise, if I give the order for an all-out offensive, it will be bloody and it will be sad.]

Duterte made the remarks in a meeting with BARMM officials, police and military commanders in 6th Infantry Division (6ID) at Camp Brigadier General Gonzalo Siongco in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

His visit in the area came three days after a firefight erupted between state forces and at least 20 BIFF members in the municipality of Datu Paglas in Maguindanao last May 8.

“Ayokong pumatay ng Muslim. Ayokong pumatay ng Kristiyano. Gusto kong manahimik ang buhay natin sa mundong ito,” Duterte said.

[I don’t like to kill Muslims.  I don’t like to kill Christians. I want a peaceful life.]

The military has since cleared Datu Paglas of BIFF members.

The military also identified the leader of the armed group as Mohiden Animbang, alias Karialan, who was reportedly involved in IED (improvised explosive device) attacks in Datu Saudi Ampatuan last March 2021 which left two people dead and two others wounded. —NB/BAP, GMA News