Firefight erupts again in Maguindanao

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – After a week without fighting, government soldiers once again exchanged gunfire with rebels in the town of Datu Piang in Maguindanao on Monday afternoon, March 23.

Capt. Jo-Ann Petinglay, spokesperson of the military’s 6th Infantry Division, said government forces were fired upon by members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Lower Alonganen at around 5:15 pm.

The rebels are believed to be led by Abunawas Damiog Ibad and Omar Abdulag Sangkong.

There are no reported casualties on the government side while the casualties on the rebel side are undetermined, Petinglay said.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) made public that it has launched an all-out offensive against the break away group last February 25 and the firefight and tensions spread like wildfire, affecting more than 15 towns displacing more than 100,000 residents. 

Earlier, clashes also erupted in the town of Pikit in North Cotabato days after the botched Special Action Force operation against Malaysian bomber Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan in Mamasapano town last January 25.

The fighting in Pikit started as a conflict between the BIFF and a local command of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front which later was joined by the military using ground assault and artillery missions.

Thousands of families from Pikit were also displaced by the fighting in North Cotabato.

During the peak of the all-out offensive in Maguindanao, human rights groups also reported about civilian injuries and damages to properties allegedly caused by indiscriminate firing and artillery shelling.

The operation, aside from suppressing the BIFF, is also aimed at nabbing Usman, the second high-value target during the botched Special Action Force operation in Mamasapano that left at least 67 people dead, including 44 police commandos and 5 civilians. (READ: Mamasapano report based on ’emotions, not facts’)

But unlike the rest of the operations in the past, the present operation is not a campaign to destroy, Petinglay said.

“This operation should finish with development coming in the communities while several of our units will stay within as containment forces. These containment forces will ensure that what is left of the rebels will not be able to move freely,” Petinglay said.

Petinglay shared that while ground forces continue to operations, the military is also working with local government units, line agencies and civil-society organizations to ensure the delivery of social services and projects in the affected towns.

“The all-out offensive is not just a military affair. It is about fighting the BIFF and the same time bringing the community to a progressive state,” Petinglay said.

But with the end still uncertain, people can only wonder when this conflict will die down so that they can already go back to their villages and resume their daily normal lives.  – Rappler.com