BIFF on AFP all-out war: We will die fighting

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) said it will welcome government’s all-out war with heavy resistance.

Abu Misri Mama, spokesperson of the BIFF, even challenged President Benigno Aquino III and other politicians who are supporting the calls for war to grab a gun and join the fighting.

“It’s up to them. We will welcome them with heavy resistance even if Aquino and the senators will join them,” Mama told the Inquirer by phone Wednesday afternoon.
Mama said that no volume of combat operations will force them to surrender and stop fighting.

“Surrender? No way. We will never surrender. We will die fighting,” Mama said.

In this picture shows Abu Misri Mama (left), the spokesman of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, at their camp in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town in Maguindanao.
PHOTO BY JEOFFREY MAITEM / INQUIRER MINDANAO

However, Mama explained that their resistance will be based on the situation as required by a guerrilla war.

“The principles of guerrilla warfare said that if the enemy is strong we will withdraw and we will attack if they are tired and confused. Our response will depend on the situation,” Mama said.

Mama narrated that when they were still with the MILF during the all-out war declared by then President Joseph Estrada, their forces suffered minimal casualties.

“Only 10 died in our unit during the all-out war while the stench of the dead soldiers was in the air in Matanog, Maguindanao. We will again fail this new all-out war,” Mama said.

But Mama said that their only concern are the civilians who will be greatly affected by the hostilities.

“This all-out war of will really affect the civilians. The soldiers cannot easily see us but the firing and bombings will displace the residents. Thousands will flee in evacuation centers,” Mama said.

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