GMA 7 news program “24 Oras” reported on Tuesday that t-shirts recovered from encounter sites had “BIFF of the MILF” printed on them. MILF uniforms were also recovered.
Capt. Jo-ann Petinglay, 6th Infantry Division spokesperson, said the clothing did not necessarily prove that the BIFF and MILF were working together. “Kung mayroon mang nakikitang uniforms ng MILF diyan it’s possible na suot suot ng BIFF ‘yung uniform ng MILF or nabili niya. Hindi natin alam, hindi natin masabi sa ngayon kung bakit may MILF uniform doon pero hindi nakapagtataka,” Petinglay said.
The BIFF is made up of former MILF commands which broke away after the MILF continued to participate in a peace process with the Philippine government.
Meanwhile, the AFP said they had retrieved DNA samples from the corpse of a BIFF fighter who could be Singaporean terrorist Muhammad Ali, who also goes by the alias Muawiyah. The BIFF fighter was killed last Sunday.
The AFP also said that the BIFF was running out of food and ammunition because of the offensive, which began last February 27.
Philippine security forces went on the offensive in response to the January 25 Mamasapano clash, in which 44 police commandos were allegedly killed by MILF and BIFF gunmen. — Andrei Medina/DVM, GMA News
