BIFF: We don’t attack civilians

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

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Breakaway Moro guerrillas had denied any role in a series of bombings, including one in Kabacan, North Cotabato, that are being attributed to them.

In a phone interview, Abu Misri Mama, speaking for the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), said his group, which broke off from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front over peace negotiations with the government, does not attack civilians.

“We had no hand there,” said Mama about the Kabacan bombing which killed a girl and wounded dozens of others.

“We don’t attack civilians, only military (men),” he said.

The military said it suspected the BIFF of planting the bomb in Kabacan to draw attention to its continuing fight for independence in Mindanao.

But Mama urged authorities to investigate deeper. He said BIFF is conducting its own investigation.

“We don’t do that,” Mama said in reaction to accusations that BIFF is behind the bombings of civilian communities.

A P200,000 reward had been offered for the identification and arrest of the suspects behind the Kabacan blast. Edwin O. Fernandez, Inquirer Mindanao