Police, Army bracing for BIFF retaliation

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines – Police and the military are preparing for possible retaliation by Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) bandits who are reportedly planning to avenge the deaths of their comrades in last week’s skirmishes in Pikit town here.

More than a dozen BIFF bandits were reportedly killed after the military bombarded the villages that the group took over last week.

Seven bandits were reportedly killed when 105 Howitzer projectiles hit them as government troops pushed them back into the Liguasan Delta.

BIFF’s spokesman Abu Misry Mama denied the group’s reported losses and warned of more attacks in the province.

The bandits burned houses in every village that they occupied. Local officials described the harassment as part of the group’s ploy to scare and extort villagers.     

Senior Superintendent Danny Peralta, provincial police director, said they are prepared in case the BIFF would launch attacks.

Peralta said they received reports that the group is planning to attack farming communities to force residents to pay protection money.

Lt. Col. Audie Edralin, chief of the Army’s 7th Infantry Battalion (IB) based in Pikit, said Muslim elders and clerics have urged him to continue patrols in the villages to prevent the bandits from returning.