Armed BIFF members attack Datu Paglas market

By Pearl Gumapos

A group of armed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) attacked the municipality of Datu Paglas in Maguindanao in the early morning of May 8.

The group briefly occupied the market.

Maguindanao provincial board member Teng Madidis said a massive evacuation was conducted in the area. 

According to Lt. Col. John Paul Baldomar, spokesman of the Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division, the attack happened around 4:00 a.m. when an armed group of the BIFF Karialan faction appeared at the market. 

Military troops immediately responded to reports from civilians and secured the area.

“Sa nakikita natin kung bakit palengke talaga ‘yung tinatarget nila, e siyempre ‘yun ‘yong supply ng mga pagkain. Kaya ‘yon siguro tinarget nila,” Baldomar said when asked the reason for the attack.

Baldomar said people are preparing for Ramadan and were at the market to buy food. He described the market as “a very peaceful place, napakaganda nitong place na ito,” and said he saw no reason for the group to attack the area. 

“Based on the revelation of said troops, wala naman talaga silang ibang pakay parati kung hindi guluhin lamang ang mga lugar dito sa Maguindanao, kasi gusto nilang ipakita na they are still a force to reckon with despite the number of surrenderees,” he said.

When asked how many BIFF members were present, Baldomar said that while they are not certain of the number, the civilians estimated that there were about 80 members who participated in the attack.

There was no discharge of firearms nor was there a firefight, Baldomar said.

However, there was a firefight upon the withdrawal of the BIFF. The armed group fired upon the passengers stranded on the highway. 

“May mga civilian tayo…na nandoon sa part ng highway. Sila ay pinaputukan ng mga armadong grupo, kaya tayo ay nag-retaliate para maprotektahan ‘yong mga civilian at i-evacuate natin sila sa safety,” Baldomar said.

None of the civilians and military persons were injured.

Meanwhile, passengers passing through the national highway where Datu Paglas is located were stranded due to the attack.

Baldomar said the national highway had to be closed for the safety of the community.

As of now, the armed group has been driven out from the market and the military continue to monitor the area and pursue the perpetrators.

“Sa ngayon, naka-focus tayo sa clearing ng highway na sinarado, pati na rin doon sa palengke. We want this part of Datu Paglas to be safe bago natin pabalikin ang mga tao at padaanin ang mga commuters. Meron din po tayong mga forces na naka-dedicate sa pursuit operation,” Baldomar said. 

Gov’t forces put stop to BIFF activities

 In a statement from the AFP on Saturday evening (May 8), forces from the Joint Task Force Central (JTF Central) “successfully thwarted the atrocities of extremist groups coming from the BIFF– Karialan Faction.”

According to Brig. Gen. Roy Galido, commander of the 601st Infantry Brigade, nearly 20 members of the group have been “the target of military operation” for the past few days.

This was after reports that the said group is “planning to conduct atrocities in the nearby towns in Maguindanao.”

Government forces managed to intercept the armed group in Datu Paglas in the early morning of May 8, while the extremists elements passed along Datu Paglas, Maguindanao.

“Without the prompt and deliberate action of the security forces, the situation could have worsened,” Galido said.

Four improvised explosive devices were recovered by the security forces which were laid along the route of the withdrawing extremist group. The national highway was again open for public commuters around 10:30 a.m. (AFP) -jlo