Philippine flag planted on BIFF stronghold

By: Bong Lozada - 11 years ago

Members of the breakaway Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF). AFP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—A week after the law enforcement operation dubbed as Operation Darkhorse began, the Armed Forces of the Philippines has planted the Philippine flag on the main stronghold of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, a statement said.

The military officially terminated Operation Darkhorse, composed of AFP forces and Philippine National Police forces, Sunday morning after the AFP took over the BIFF lair in Barangay (village) Ganta, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao on Jan. 31 and planted the Philippine flag on the area on Feb. 1.

The AFP requested for an additional of three days to complete the operation, which the Joint Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) of the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

According to the AFP, Operation Darkhorse resulted in the neutralization of 101 known BIFF members, 52 of whom were killed and 49 wounded, and the surrender of several firearms and explosive ordnances.

Also, the capture of four BIFF camps and a makeshift Improvised Explosive Device factory in Ganta, Shariff Saydona Mustapha were reported.

On the side of the government, one soldier was killed while 20 others were wounded, while eight civilians who were caught in the crossfire were wounded.

Return to normalcy

According to the AFP, the primary concern is the safety and security of the civilians who reside in the areas where BIFF conflict remains to prevent any spillover to other communities.

The heavy fighting caused the evacuation of 9,465 families, or 35,334 individuals, from the towns of Sharif Saydona, Rajah Buayan and Datu Piang, all of Maguindanao and Pikit, North Cotabato.

“Having neutralized the BIFF threat in these areas, it is now safe for these civilians displaced by the fighting to return to their homes and go on with their daily lives,” AFP spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Raymond Zagala said.

Child soldiers

According to Zagala, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division said at least three child rebel soldiers, aged between 15 and 16-years-old, were killed in the clashes in Maguindanao.

“The AFP condemns the use of children in armed conflict, the use of child soldiers to perpetuate violence has no place in a civilized society,” Zagala said.

“Children are a zone of peace and by putting them in the forefront of armed conflict their rights are violated.”