Palace: AFP will stop new breakaway armed group in Mindanao

Malacañang on Thursday expressed confidence that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) would thwart the new armed group that broke away from the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

The BIFF itself is a splinter of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, with whom the government signed a peace agreement in March 2014.

 

At a press briefing, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the AFP is closely monitoring all armed groups in the country, including the Justice for Islamic Movement (JIFM).

 

"Ginagampanan ng ating Sandatahang Lakas ang tungkulin na na tutukan lahat ng pagkilos ng iba’t ibang armadong grupo, lalung-lalo na ‘yung mga naghahasik ng ligalig sa ating bansa at sa ating mga pamayanan,” Coloma told reporters.

 

"Hindi sila papayagan na magsagawa ng mga aksyon na iyan. Pipigilin sila ng ating Sandatahang Lakas,” he added.

 

On Wednesday, AFP spokesman Col. Restituto Padilla said the military was already pursuing the JIM.

 

The JIM is believed to be coddling Filipino bomb maker Basit Usman, who escaped from the January 25 Mamasapano operation, which left over 60 people killed including 44 police commandos.

 

The AFP has launched an all-out offensive against the BIFF.

 

AFP chief General Gregorio Pio Catapang said the military could “decimate” the BIFF and the bandit Abu Sayyaf Group "by June or July." —NB, GMA News