Three months
It's official. Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. has ordered an "all-out-war" against the BIFF, that breakaway group of Moro rebels from the MILF. They decided to go their own way when an historic agreement was forged between the government and the MILF for a lasting peace in the region. Ever since the Mamasapano debacle, the BIFF have become increasingly active and emboldened in conducting terrorist activities such as the occupation of several barangays in Pikit, North Cotabato and Pagalungan, Maguindanao. I would think that fighting alongside the MILF against the SAF commandos in Mamasapano have led them to believe that they still have the support of the MILF. Wrong.
Fighting has erupted between the MILF and the BIFF in Maguindanao. But the AFP will not watch from the sidelines. It is time to put a stop to this renegade band of rebels who obviously would not have anything to do with peace. More than twenty thousand residents have fled the areas because of the fighting. In the past days, the military have used artillery against the rebels, causing them to retreat. The spokesperson of the BIFF said that it was strategic, or intentional. Right. Reminds me of the Iraqi information minister whom the press christened "Comical Ali" because of his out of this world, hilarious press conferences. I guess a psychological warfare approach would not hurt, no matter how absurd.
Securing the area would be the primary task of the military, to make sure the rebels do not return. This would also allow the residents to return to their homes and lives. At least those who still have homes to come back to, since the BIFF burned some houses while on the retreat. Conflict has always been about territory, so to deny this to the BIFF is crucial. With a declaration of an all-out-war against the BIFF, the military has free reign to go after them without pause, especially while on the run.
If the intelligence on Basit Usman is accurate in that the BIFF is protecting him, getting him would be a bonus. Of course, it goes without saying that a repeat of the Mamasapano debacle is out of the question. So close coordination between all groups concerned such as the PNP and the MILF in accordance with the peace agreement must be established.
The AFP is projecting that in three month's time, the BIFF would be considerably decimated. That is all well and good, but it would be best to make sure they can no longer be a threat to the country. And while the military is going after the BIFF, perhaps they should also step up against the Abu Sayyaf, which has been a gadfly to the country for so long. Both groups cannot be allowed to grow or gain support, lest they become another problem of the country in the future. And with the growing threat of ISIS, all the more. We will have to see by late May or early June, if the AFP is successful in its current campaign against the enemies of the state.
- Latest
