BIFF member killed in Maguindanao clash with MILF

A member of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) was killed while another one was injured in a firefight with members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Maguindanao last Monday.

Citing information from locals, Captain Jo-Ann Petinglay, spokesperson for thee Army's 6th Infantry Division, said the encounter, which lasted for about 30 minutes, occurred between BIFF members headed by a certain Commander Gani Saligan and the MILF's 108th Base Command.

Petinglay said no casualties was reported on the MILF side.

The BIFF is a splinter group of the MILF opposed to the peace process with the government. However, there are sectors who believe the MILF has yet to completely sever its ties with the BIFF.

On January 25, 44 elite policemen were killed when a covert police operation to arrest two suspected terrorists resulted in a clash with MILF and BIFF forces in Mamasapano, also in Maguindanao.

The clash occurred despite the existing ceasefire agreement between the government and the MILF in connection with the peace talks.

During Tuesday's hearing in the Senate on the Mamasapano clash, the MILF's alleged ties with terrorist groups was raised.

Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano cited journals, literature, and other materials that reveal the alleged relationship of MILF to terrorist groups like Jemaah Islamiyah and al Qaeda. He also mentioned the MILF's alleged ties with the BIFF.

The MILF denied having links with terrorist groups, although it said it will remain a revolutionary organization pending the full implementation of the peace agreement with the government. —Amanda Fernandez/KBK, GMA News