Palace shrugs off BIFF threat

MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang on Thursday shrugged off statements from the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) belittling the military and its all-out war.

When asked about the BIFF’s refusal to surrender, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. simply reiterated earlier announcements that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) are working together to fight lawless elements and terrorist groups like the BIFF, based on the directive of President Benigno Aquino III.

“Samantalang pinapangalagaan ang seguridad ng ating mga komunidad at iniiwasan ‘yung pagkakaroon ng collateral damage sa mga civilian communities (Meanwhile, we are ensuring the safety of our communities and are preventing collateral damage among civilian communities),” he said.

Coloma said 3,000 families or 15,000 individuals have already been displaced in Central Mindanao because of the recent clashes between government forces and rebels.

“Puspusang kumikilos ang pamahalaan upang mabigyan sila ng kaukulang pagtulong at tiyakin ang kanilang maayos na kalagayan (The government is working to give the residents assistance and to ensure that they are well),” Coloma explained.

The BIFF, a splinter group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), is among those that figured in a misencounter with policemen in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, last month. Of the more than 60 people who were killed in the clash, 44 were members of the PNP Special Action Force (SAF).

Earlier reports said the BIFF was coddling international terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, who was eventually shot dead by the SAF troopers.

BIFF spokesperson Abu Misri Mama told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that they will not back down from the military’s all-out offensive.

He said they will not surrender and will die fighting.

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