Some Muslim groups oppose all-out war vs. BIFF

Some Muslims groups have expressed opposition to the military's all-out offensive against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), a report on “24 Oras” said Friday.

The BIFF, a breakaway group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), is also blamed for the January 25 Mamasapano clash that left 44 members of the police Special Action Force (SAF) dead.

In the report, former MILF spokesperson Eid Kabalu said it is “unfair” for the military to single out the BIFF.

“It's unfair because hindi naman po BIFF ang nakasagupa ng SAF,” he said.

The MILF, which has signed a peace agreement with the government, also figured in the infamous Mamasapano clash that is now the subject of several investigations.

The BIFF is opposed to the peace negotiations with the government.

Some groups said the all-out offensive, ordered by Armed Forces chief Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. last Wednesday, would just be a waste of government resources, the report said.

Habib Nikabulin of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) also voiced his opposition to the military action.

“Ang digmaan ay pinagbabawal sa Islam. Ayaw ng Islam ang kaguluhan,” he said in the same report. —Andrei Medina/KBK, GMA News