MILF forces move away from BIFF rebels to prevent misencounters

COTABATO CITY – The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has repositioned its forces from the so-called SPMS Box (Salibo, Pagatin, Mamasapano, Shariff Aguak) in Maguindanao amid intense military operations against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, a government official said.

Carlos Sol Jr., chair of the government’s ceasefire committee, said the move was aimed at preventing MILF forces from being drawn into the skirmishes and to protect the peace process.

There were about 6,000 armed MILF members and their families, who live in the so-called SPMS Box, he said.

“All BIAF forces in these areas are repositioned to allow our armed forces the freedom to operate against the BIFF. We want to avoid misencounters between the government forces and the MILF,” Sol said, adding: “We repositioned the MILF from their communities to three repositioning sites.”