Military: BIFF has no credibility on supposed link with Mautes
Members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters attacked two barangays in Pigcawayan, North Cotabato earlier this week. Philstar.com, File
MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Wednesday said the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters lack the credibility to say whether they are affiliated with the Maute terrorist group or not.
When asked if the BIFF and Maute group are the same and if they have pledged allegiance to ISIS, Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, AFP spokesperson, said that the BIFF have been issuing opposing statements on the issue.
“At one point, their spokesman is saying that they’re not related to the Mautes. At another point, they’re saying that they’re related to the Mautes and they have done this and done that,” Padilla said during a televised press briefing on Wednesday.
He said that the BIFF has joined forces with the Maute group inside Marawi City, where security forces and terrorists have been locked in combat since May 23.
Last Friday, Padilla also said a "tactical alliance" between the Maute terror group and the BIFF was possible since the latter had aided the forces of other local militant groups in the past.
The Maute local terrorist group attacked Marawi City on May 23 after a failed government operation against Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon, whom the military says may already have fled the city.
'Maute and BIFF are different groups'
“And yes, they continue to pose threats to the areas of Cotabato because of the continuing harassment that they are doing on our detachments and on the people of Cotabato,” Padilla said, referring to the BIFF.
However, Padilla explained that the BIFF and Maute terrorists are two separate groups based on the geographical location of BIFF which is not in the area of Marawi City.
He said the Marawi siege is a different front that the government is facing apart from the attacks in the Cotabato area.
The BIFF attacked Barangays Simsiman and Malagkit in Pigcawayan situated in North Cotabato last week, prompting a gunfight between the militant group and local militiamen. — with a report from Rosette Adel
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