TAGUM CITY—A military spokesman has belied report on Friday that a gunbattle erupted between the Moro Islamic Liberation Fronts (MILF) and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Pikit town, North Cotabato.
“It was not a firefight. We would like to correct the previous reports as it was not validated last night. Bursts of gun fire were heard in the area which were mistaken to be an ensuing firefight,” Army’s 6th Infantry Division Spokesperson Capt. Jo-anne Petinglay told DavaoToday in a phone interview.
The reported clash in Barangay Kabasalan said that the MILF unit was led by a Commander Jack Abbas and the BIFF was headed by a Kagi Karialan.
MILF’s Jack Abas is the known leader of 108th, 109th, and 110th MILF Base Commands in North Cotabato.
Petinglay earlier confirmed the reported MILF-BIFF clash, but corrected it on Friday that “it did not happen at all as there was no actual firefight between the two Moro guerrilla groups.”
Petinglay added they were monitoring the area following intelligence reports that BIFF forces were massing up in Pikit.
“Tensions have already eased as of Thursday night after the BIFF forces have withdrawn. Our troops will be continuously monitoring the area to secure the safety of the civilian,” Petinglay said.
In a separate interview, BIFF’s Abu Misry Mama said that there was “no firefight that happened on Thursday with the MILF”.
“Our forces are always on alert and always ready to defend ourselves in the battle against the terrorist military,” said Mama, speaking for the BIFF. (davaotoday.com)
