Villagers arm selves vs BIFF attacks

TWO MALE residents of the village of Kauran in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao province, display an assault rifle that they said was one of the weapons they would use to repel another attack by BIFF guerrillas. FERDINAND CABRERA/CONTRIBUTOR

AMPATUAN, Maguindanao—Attacks attributed to renegade Moro rebels are prompting residents of a village here to arm themselves for protection, according to village leaders.

Male residents of the village of Kauran said they were not leaving anything to chance following attacks by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) that started on Christmas Day and had already killed at least six villagers.

“This is to defend ourselves and our communities,” said a farmer, brandishing an Armalite rifle. He asked not to be identified but denied he and other villagers who were arming themselves were members of the Pulahan, a Christian armed group.

The farmers said that since the BIFF went on a rampage on Dec. 24 and killed at least six villagers in Kauran, village leaders decided to take turns going on armed patrol to secure the village.

“We take turns securing the village,” the farmer said. “Some sleep, but many of us remain awake at night,” he added.

The farmer said he and the rest of the village’s residents could not understand why the BIFF has made their community a target.

“This is too much,” said the farmer. “We have not done anything wrong. We are just farmers working hard to earn a living,” he said. “Then the BIFF would come and kill us. This is not correct, this is inhuman,” he added.

Abu Misri Mama, BIFF spokesperson, said members of the guerrilla group, which had broken off with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) over disagreement on peace talks with the government, had clashed with armed men in the village and killed six.

Residents of Kauran said that aside from killing six of their neighbors, BIFF guerrillas also attacked the village of Palian on Dec. 24 and executed two men.

“We were supposed to celebrate Christmas,” said the farmer. “Instead, we are mourning the deaths of our six neighbors,” he said.

Another villager, who apparently has not slept for days, said the community could not afford to be complacent because “there are reports that the BIFF is just around the village, observing and watching us.”

“If they attack again, we are ready this time,” said the male villager.

Since the Christmas Eve attack, only male residents move around the village while children and women were moved to the village hall. At least 6,000 people from neighboring villages also fled for fear of BIFF attacks, too.

“If they come, we will welcome them with bullets, we will return the favor,” said one of the male villagers who has armed himself.

Biling Linasa, Kauran village chair, said he could not blame his people as they were really hurt by the deaths of their relatives and neighbors.

Col. Ricky Bunayog, head of the Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion, said soldiers had already been deployed to the periphery of the communities the BIFF attacked. The military is ready now, he said.

“We are holding the BIFF accountable for these attacks,” said Maj. Gen. Mayoralgo de la Cruz, head of the Western Mindanao Command, after meeting local military commanders in Maguindanao province.

Asked to comment on civilians taking up arms, Bunayog said only militiamen would be allowed to carry firearms in the village.

“If civilians are proven to be possessing guns without authority, they will be arrested and charged. Only paramilitary [men] will be allowed to carry guns in Kauran,” he said. Edwin Fernandez, Inquirer Mindanao