Houses burned in clashes in Maguindanao, says rights group

MANILA, Philippines (Updated) – Houses were burned in barangay Ganta in Shariff Saydona Mustapha, the site of clashes between the military and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), according to a local rights group. 

This was reported by residents to Mindanao Human Rights Action Center (MinHRAC) as of 2 pm on Friday, January 31.

“MinHRAC received reports that a cluster of homes in evacuated areas of Barangay Ganta are on fire. From their evacuation sites, they can see the smoke billowing,” it said in a flash report. 

The military said withdrawing BIFF members were responsible for the fire. Captain Deoreynojay Maniwang, civil military officer of the Army 601st Bridage, said they cannot follow them in areas not covered by the operations approved by the Government-MILF Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG). 

The military overran BIFF strongholds in Ganta on Thursday, January 30, including a facility where the BIFF manufactures its improvised explosive devices (IEDS). The firefight has since moved to to the villages of Damabalas in Datu Piang town and Dasawao in Shariff Saydona Mustapha.

MinHRAC appealed to both the government and the BIFF of their obligations under the International Humanitarian Law. “MinHRAC reminds all parties of their obligation under IHL to take all measures to avoid any harm coming to civilians and their properties as well as the rule on legitimacy of targets and proportionality of the means employed,” it said.

The government tagged the BIFF as a “spoiler” to the imminent peace deal with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. BIFF is a breakaway unit of BIFF.

The clashes that began on Sunday, January 26, has displaced up to 10,000 residents. MinHRAC on Thursday appealed to authorities to conclude the operations as soon as possible.

The military offensive is scheduled to end on Saturday, February 1, but the military could ask for another extension depending on new developments. 

The death toll has risen to 53 including one soldier. Among the 52 BIFF killed, 19 were supposedly already identifed by local officials helping the military. – Rappler.com