Armm guv condemns Maguindanao attacks

AUTONOMOUS Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) OIC-Governor Mujiv Hataman condemned Monday the “aggression” in three Maguindanao towns by a breakaway group.

The group identified as the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), which broke away from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in December 2009, staged attacks in the towns of Ampatuan, Datu Unsay and Shariff Aguak in Maguindanao province.

The BIFF is led by Ustadz Amiril Umbra, the former commander of the MILF’s 105th Base Command.

The military reported that the BIFF forces simultaneously attacked five Army detachments in Maguindanao around 11:30 p.m. Sunday but no one was reported injured.

The attack prompted the Army’s 6th Infantry Division to temporarily close the Cotabato-General Santos highway as the troops have launched clearing operations.

“The act is especially reprehensible during this time of the Holy Month of Ramadan, when devout Muslims are in the observance of fasting and are supposed to exercise utmost restraint. It is an utter disrespect of Islamic values and of the lives of countless civilians who will have to endure the effects of conflict even in the midst of the holy month,” Hataman said.

“We appeal to all stakeholders to help stop this latest round of violence in the province and prevent its possible escalation,” he added.

He said the BIFF should uphold Islamic values and respect for civilian lives more than any other interest and to exhaust peaceful means to address valid grievances.

The governor also appealed to the peace panels of both the government and the MILF not to get distracted “by this isolated incident and allow it to affect the encouraging gains in the peace process.” (Bong Garcia/Sunnex)