Troops prepare for possible BIFF retaliatory attacks

MANILA, Philippines - The military is preparing for possible retaliatory attacks by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) following the raid of the group’s lairs in Maguindanao last week.

Armed Forces spokesman Maj. Gen. Domingo Tutaan Jr. said the group could launch such atrocities because they do not observe existing laws.

“They don’t follow any rule. They used children in their group. They don’t respect the rule of law. It (retaliation) could be in any form and that is why we are preparing ourselves for whatever incidents that might happen,” he said in an interview Monday.

Tutaan was referring to the minors who were employed by the BIFF as soldiers. The military said at least three of the 52 rebels slain during recent clashes were child warriors.

When asked whether the BIFF can still mount attacks, Tutaan said: “Their being potent is more on their being sinister. They are treacherous so we are resorting to target hardening.”

“If they launch an attack against a community that is not protected, it will cause disorder. That is the reason why we are securing these communities,” he added.

On Sunday, security officials announced that they have ended their law enforcement operations against the BIFF because they have achieved their aim of reducing the group’s capability to launch atrocities.

The campaign, dubbed as “Operation Darkhorse,” led to the capture of four BIFF camps and a makeshift explosive factory in Maguindanao.

The week-long offensives left 52 BIFF members and one soldier dead and 49 rebels and 20 military personnel injured.

Eight civilians were also hurt and more than 35,000 were displaced during the week-long operations in Maguindanao and North Cotabato.

“Operation Darkhorse” started January 27 and was supposed to end after two days. The campaign was extended until  Saturday to allow government forces to seize more BIFF lairs.

While “Operation Darkhorse” was supposed to be a law enforcement operation, there were no reports of BIFF members captured by pursuing authorities. BIFF leader Ameril Umra Kato, who is facing several criminal cases for leading bloody attacks in Mindanao in 2008, remains at large.

The military vowed to continue efforts to bring BIFF members with standing arrest warrants to justice.

“We have denied the enemy of training and supply areas. They no longer have sage havens. They will continue to be the subject of law enforcement operations,” Armed Forces public affairs chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said in a separate interview.

“The termination of this operation does not man that the law enforcement has ended. Law enforcement operations will continue against the high value targets,” he added.

Despite the failure of the military to capture Kato, Tutaan maintained that “Operation Darkhorse” had depleted the BIFF’s capabilities and influence.

“I would not say that that they’re totally a spent force but definitely a big portion of their capability has been decimated,” he said.

Kato, a former commander of the MILF, formed the BIFF to push for the creation of an independent Islamic state. He broke away from the MILF over differences on the peace talks with the government.

In 2008, Kato and his forces mounted offensives against civilians in various parts of Mindanao after the Supreme Court voided the memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain between the government and the MILF. Authorities have offered a P10-million bounty for his arrest.

There are reports that Kato is now bedridden after suffering a mild stroke in 2011.

Westmincom

Meanwhile, another senior military officer said the operation will continue against the remnants of the BIFF to prevent the bandits from derailing the peace process in Southern Philippines.

"The operation will continue against those who are trying to derail the peace. The operations aims to maintain peace in the area that is conducive to peace process," said Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, chief of Westerb Mindanao Command (WEstmincom). - with Roel Pareño