BIFF denies links to al-Qaeda

Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF). INQUIRER MINDANAO FILE PHOTO

COTABATO CITY, Philippines—The military’s announcement that it had recovered a flag similar to that used by the al-Qaeda international terrorist group during last week’s Maguindanao clashes was aimed at demonizing the group founded by renegade Moro rebel leader Ameril Umra Kato, the spokesperson of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters said Wednesday.

Abu Misri Mama said this was also aimed at justifying further military actions in Maguindanao as painting the BIFF as an al-Qaeda ally or coddler of international terrorists would make it a terror organization.

“The reality is we are so local and we don’t have alliance with or support from al-Qaeda or any foreign groups,” Mama said, adding that the  military’s claim that two al-Qaeda members had been monitored inside a BIFF camp in Maguindanao before it was seized by soldiers last week was also false.

According to the military among those reportedly monitored in the BIFF camp who might have actually helped fight soldiers was Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli Bin Hir alias Marwan.

Marwan, an alleged bomb expert from al-Qaeda’s Southeast Asian arm – Jemaah Islamiyah – is on Washington’s list of top terrorists and has a $5-million price on his head for his alleged involvement in the 2002 Bali bombings in Indonesia that killed 110 foreign nationals.

“We don’t have foreigners in our organization. That’s a big lie,” Mama said.

A local government official in Maguindanao, who is knowledgeable about Islam, said that the use of Black flags dates from the time of the jihad that Prophet Muhammad launched against the so-called unbelievers.

It was known as rayat al-sawda’ (black banner). Several Muslim revolutionary groups, including the self-proclaimed Sunni-led Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, have used it although the modified version which features the shahada or the Muslim pledge to  pray only to Allah and to recognize Muhammad as his prophet is also used by peaceful organizations.

“It is not exclusive to terrorists,” the local official, who did not want to be identified, said.

Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu said what he has heard of the BIFF was that it has been coddling suspects in the Maguindanao massacre.

At least 58 people – mostly media workers – were killed in the Nov. 2009 incident perpetrated by some members of the Ampatuan clan and their private militias. With a report from Allan Nawal, Inquirer Mindanao

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