Army moves to deescalate MILF-BIFF clashes in Maguindanao

The Armed Forces of the Philippines is getting ready to intervene in the recent clashes between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in Maguindanao.

AFP Chief Gen. Gregorio Catapang Jr. on Thursday said security forces are already planning their moves to deescalate the tension in the areas of Pikit, Cotabato, and Pagalungan.

“We are coming in, we are coming, nago-operate na kami,” Catapang said.

Also he said the move to intervene was carefully planned so that government forces will not get ganged up on by armed groups in the province

Catapang also said the Army will get to the bottom of the skirmishes, reportedly being caused by a rido.

“We have to find out ano ba [talaga] ito, rido ba to o just something really a fight against the BIFF and MILF,” he said.

A clashes between the MILF and its breakaway group the BIFF erupted on February 14 in Pagalungan where an MILF commander named Datukong Ampuan alias Falcon was killed.

At least 1,300 residents of the affected areas have fled in fear of being caught in the crossfire. — Andrei Medina/LBG/JDS, GMA News