AFP denies reports of MILF-BIFF firefight

MANILA, Philippines—The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has denied news reports that fighting broke out between Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in North Cotabato.

“Ayon sa confirmation mismo sa ground commanders na nakasakop sa area na ’yun na walang nangyaring ganung enkwentro ngunit na-encounter namin na may presensya ng armadong grupo sa barangay. May nagpakalat ng info sa text message, pinalabas nila magkakaroon ng military operation ang MILF at Army para umano ipabomba ang Kabasalan (There is no such encounter, according to reports from ground commanders in the area, although some armed groups have been seen there. The information had been spread via text message; they said there was a military operation in the area between MILF and the Army to bomb Barangay Kabasalan),” AFP Public Affairs Office chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said on Friday.

Cabunoc said the report was “misquoted.”

“Maraming text message nagkalat sabi military source pero hindi naman totoo (Text messages quoted the military but those are not true),” he said.

Reports on Thursday said the MILF launched an operation to flush out members of their breakaway group BIFF in Pikit, North Cotabato, a week after the incident in Maguindanao.

The MILF forces were reportedly led by Jack Abbas.

Army’s 6th Infantry Division spokesperson Capt. Jo-Anne Petinglay said there was tension in the area but said there was no firefight.

Because of the tensions, the civilians fled and sought refuge in nearby villages.

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