MILF denies involvement in Military-BIFF clash in North Cotabato, Maguindanao

Fighters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. JEOFFREY MAITEM/INQUIRER MINDANAO FILE PHOTO

DAVAO CITY – The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said it was not a party to the operation the military launched on Saturday against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in North Cotabato and Maguindanao.

“Let me just clarify that as of now there are no AFP-MILF joint operations against the BIFF. It just so happened that we have a common enemy now,” Von Al Haq, MILF vice chair for military affairs, said by phone.

He said the MILF was not worrying about the shelling and the ground operation because the area being targeted is under BIFF control and that it has no members there.

“These are areas controlled by the BIFF and so far there are no reports of the MILF’s Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces being hit or involved in the incident,” Al Haq said.

Al Haq said the MILF was hoping that no civilian will get hit or affected by the artillery mission.

“The decision and judgment will be on the military. They know what they are doing,” Al Haq said.

Also reached by phone, Abu Misri Mama, spokesperson of the BIFF, said they did not suffer any casualty from the shelling because their fighters were positioned quite far from where the shells were landing.

“Why are they doing this? If they want war they should be brave enough to enter our area and fight us, guns against guns,” Mama said.

He said the BIFF was now moving its forces but for defense purposes only.

RELATED STORY

Military starts assault vs BIFF in Maguindanao, North Cotabato