MILF opens door for ex-comrades

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has confirmed that the group is in talks with its former comrades in the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFM) to encourage them to return to the MILF.

Von Al-Haq, the MILF’s military spokesman, told Rappler in a phone interview that they are encouraging members of the BIFM to rejoin the MILF.

“Our doors are always open for our former comrades who want to return to the MILF,” Al-Haq said. He explained that this is an effort to restore law and order in provinces where both forces are deployed, particulary in Maguindanao and North Cotabato.

But BIFM spokesperson Abu Misry Mama said they have no plans to return to the MILF. “This is a good message from the MILF but as of now the BIFM has no plans in rejoining the MILF,” Mama said.

The BIFM, led by former 105th Base Command chief Ustadz Ameril Umra Kato, broke away from the MILF after serious disagreements on the latter’s peace talks with the government.

The breakaway group surprised the government with a series of simultaneous attacks on military units and installations in August this year, leaving at least 5 soldiers dead.

The attacks also displaced more than 40,000 residents of Maguindanao and North Cotabato.

After weeks of clashes, BIFM troops declared a temporary halt in its tactical offensives against government troops to give way to the resumption of the government-MILF peace talks in Kuala Lumpur this month. – Rappler.com