Philippine and MILF soldiers join forces to fight Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in North Cotabato province. (Mindanao Examiner Photo – Mark Navales)
MAGUINDANAO – Philippine and MILF troops have launched a joint operation to flush out separatist rebels blamed for the spate of terrorism in the province of North Cotabato in the restive southern region of Mindanao, officials said Tuesday.
Officials said the soldiers had cleared several villages in Pikit town where government forces clashed recently with Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters. The rebels managed to escape from a massive military assault and fled to nearby Maguindanao province.
Rebel forces had burned houses as they fled from pursuing troops.
Various media reports said as many as 20 rebels were killed in the past clashes, but security officials would not confirm this.
The BIFF broke away with the MILF after it agreed to an autonomy offered by the Aquino government and accused its chieftain Murad Ebrahim of betraying the cause of Salamat Hashim, the group’s founder.
The rebel group is now fighting for Muslim independence in Mindanao and vowed to continue the struggle left behind by Hashim, who died of heart attack many years ago. (Mark Navales)
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