(FILE PHOTO) TERROR LINKS The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), founded by the late Ameril Umra Kato (second from left), is among the Islamic State-linked armed groups that the government is fighting in Mindanao. Esmael Abubakar (right) now leads a faction of BIFF. —Jeoffrey Maitem
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has been ordered to take the offensive against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) after seeing an increase in the militant group’s membership amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
PNP Chief Guillermo Eleazar issued the statement after Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. noted that the BIFF’s recruitment activities and attacks have increased amide the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eleazar, who agreed with Galvez’s observation, said it is now “easy” for the BIFF to recruit members because “the pandemic has severely affected the livelihood of many people in Mindanao.”
“Ito ang sinasamantala ng BIFF, ang kagutuman at kawalan ng trabaho ng ilan sa ating mga kababayan,” he added. “Mas paiigtingin pa natin ang presensya ng pulis para hindi na makaporma pa ang grupong ito.”
(The BIFF has exploited the hunger and unemployment being experienced by our countrymen. We will bolster our presence so the group won’t make its move.)
Eleazar, however, pointed out that he does not believe there is a failure of intelligence in security forces as he enjoins the public to help the police and military counter the BIFF’s recruitment activities.
“This needs a whole-of-nation approach. Aside from the police and military, other government agencies and stakeholders also have roles to play in preventing recruitment by the BIFF,” Eleazar said.
“We have not and cannot let our guards down against these local terror groups,” he added.
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