AFP to suspend offensive vs BIFF

MANILA, Philippines - The military will suspend its operations against the separatist Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Maguindanao to enable the holding of graduation ceremonies.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it would assist local officials in the holding of graduation ceremonies by securing the schools and prevent possible attacks from the BIFF.

AFP chief Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. expressed support for the move of the military units in the area to coordinate with local officials in securing the graduation ceremonies.

“In his directive, the AFP chief of staff yesterday ordered 6th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Edmundo Pangilinan to facilitate the safe conduct of graduation ceremonies for the schoolchildren and high school students in Maguindanao,” AFP Public Affairs Office chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said.

The military was asked to suspend all operations against the BIFF for three days from March 25 to 27 to allow the graduation rites of elementary and high school students from 39 schools that have been closed since Feb. 28 offensive against BIFF.

Cabunoc said the AFP leadership is fully supportive of the call to suspend its military operations but stressed law enforcement operations will continue to ensure the safety of the graduating school children and the general public.

“We would like to see schoolchildren flocking to schools in pursuit of education and better lives. We are delighted to see them finish school and receive their diplomas and recognition,” Cabunoc said.

In three days within the areas considered as conflict zone in Maguindanao, government troops will be deployed to secure the sites where graduation ceremonies would be held.

In other threatened areas, the graduation ceremonies will be moved and merged to other schools in safer areas.

“For example, in a barangay bordering a conflict area, graduation rites from the said place will be moved to a conflict-free and a more secured community,” Cabunoc said.

The Department of Education in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao said there would be no cancellation of graduation ceremonies in schools in Maguindanao amid the escalating military operations in the province.

DepEd-ARMM regional director Bai Taya Aplal said graduation rites for students in conflict-affected schools will be clustered and arranged in a safe location nearest their schools.

The military offensive against the BIFF came followed the killing of 44 Special Action Force (SAF) policemen in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last Jan. 25.

The BIFF was believed to be behind the killing of the 44 policemen who were on a mission to capture terrorists hiding in a remote village in Mamasapano.

Military operations against the BIFF have already displaced 24,714 families or 123,537 individuals as of this week.

The conflict has now escalated to 15 towns in Maguindanao, prompting the provincial government to declare a state of calamity.

Nine schools currently host thousands of displaced families, serving as evacuation centers.

“For these affected schools, our alternative is to cluster their graduation and conduct it in the nearby schools not affected by the armed conflict,” Aplal said.

“We know that the presence of evacuees will affect the graduation rites, thus we are recommending the construction of temporary structure for their ceremony,” she said.

Aplal said schools that are being used as evacuation centers will still hold graduation rites, even if it may require the construction of temporary platforms.

Classes in 63 elementary and secondary schools in Maguindanao have to be suspended due to the military offensive, affecting a total of 23,681 students and teachers.

Aplal described the disruption of classes as an affront to education in the region.

On the other hand, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) expressed concern for people displaced by the military operation against the rebels.

“The UNHCR appeals to all parties of the conflict to ensure the safety of civilians while the law and order operation is underway,” agency spokesman Babar Baloch said at a press briefing in Geneva.

Baloch said an estimated 120,000 displaced people are now sheltering in schools, public buildings and madrasas, adding that the estimate does not include people hosted by relatives and friends.

“The numbers are expected to grow as the fighting extends to the local communities that are already hosting many of the displaced,” he stressed.

Baloch said UNHCR cannot access many of the affected areas and relies on information provided by local authorities, civil society organizations and partners.

Humanitarian agencies, including UNHCR, in Mindanao are working closely with the local officials to monitor the conditions of displaced people inside and outside the shelters.

“We have provided some blankets, jerry cans, sleeping mats, mosquito nets and plastic sheets, but more aid is needed urgently,” Baloch said.

“UNHCR is particularly concerned about the safety of civilians, including women and children who are caught up in the conflict areas,” he said.

“It is unclear how long or wide the ongoing law and order operation will extend and this is hindering the safe and dignified return of the displaced people.” – With Edith Regalado, Pia Lee-Brago