Military on guard against Moro rebels' attacks

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The military said today it is bracing for retaliatory attacks that may be launched by members of the rogue group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

This after a recent military offensive in the southern Philippine province of Maguindanao dubbed as "Operation Darkhorse" left 52 BIFF men dead and 49 others wounded.

"(The BIFF) are sinister, they are treacherous. They would ( attack) when you least expect them to and that is the reason why vigilance is needed," Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Maj. Gen. Domingo Tutaan told reporters.

Tutaan said government troops are on guard for possible bombings and attacks on communities in Mindanao by BIFF members who are out to avenge their loss.

The military launched "Operation Darkhorse" on Jan. 26 to arrest BIFF personalities who figured in kidnappings, killings and other crimes in southern Philippines.

The operation kicked-off a day after the Philippine government and rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) completed the four annexes of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro.

Presidential Communications Operations office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. admitted that the BIFF remains a threat to Mindanao and the ongoing peace process.

Coloma also said the government would continue intelligence and surveillance operations against the BIFF and other armed groups in the region.