News Analysis: Philippine gov't confident war against BIFF would not derail Mindanao peace process

The all-out war launched by the Philippine military against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) would not affect the Mindanao peace process, according to a top Philippine government official.

The massive military offensive that started Feb. 11 against the renegade Muslim rebels in the province of Maguindanao in Mindanao, some 1,800 km south of Manila, has already resulted in the death of 73 BIFF fighters and four government troopers.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles said the government is confident that the military action against the BIFF would not derail the peace negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the mainstream rebel group that has signed a peace accord with the government last year.

The BIFF is led by former MILF commander Umbra Kato who decided to split from the MILF after the latter signed a peace pact with the government. The BIFF wants to establish an Islamic state in Mindanao while the MILF opted to have a sub-state called Bangsamoro with semi-sovereign powers but still within the ambit of the Philippine government.

According to Deles, the military has assured them that the offensive against the BIFF is "very targeted" and would not include MILF-controlled areas.

The military operation against the BIFF is centered on the Liguasan Marsh in Maguindanao where Basit Usman, the Filipino deputy of Malaysian-born terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, also known as "Marwan," is believed to be hiding.

Marwan, an expert on bomb making, was killed in the bloody encounter on Jan. 25 in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, but Usman was able to escape.

The encounter also resulted in the death of 44 members of the elite Special Action Force (SAF) of the Philippine National Police (PNP), 18 rebels and five civilians.

On Sunday, the Philippine military said that among the killed BIFF guerrillas was a foreign-looking combatant whose identity has not been established.

Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), said they have information that four foreign terrorists were being coddled by Mohammad Ali Tambako, a former leader of the BIFF who formed his own splinter group called Islamic Justice Movement (IJM).

Other reports said four Indonesians and one Pakistani terrorist are still being coddled by the BIFF.

The government-led Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities has reported a series of incidents attributed to the BIFF aimed at sabotaging the peace process.

In July last year, a total of 10 violent incidents attributed to the BIFF took place in Maguindanao and North Cotabato. In August, violent incidents reportedly instigated by the BIFF rose to 17 and took place in Maguindanao, North Cotabato, and the boundaries of both areas.

By September last year, violent incidents also perpetrated by the MILF-splinter group surged to 22 and covered not just the three previously-mentioned areas but also the province of Basilan.

The operation against the BIFF has forced about 45,000 civilians to flee their homes, according to local officials.

Meanwhile, a Malaysian policeman was reportedly released by Abu Sayyaf terrorists based in Sulu after almost eight months in captivity.

Harold Cabunoc, AFP spokesman, said Malaysian police officer Zakia Aliep was transported to Sabah where he was freed on March 7.

It was not officially confirmed if ransom was paid for the release of Aliep. But one newspaper reported that ransom money of 20 million U.S. dollars was paid to the Abu Sayyaf in exchange for the release of the Malaysian.

Aliep was seized in July last year in Simporma, Malaysia following an ambush staged by the Abu Sayyaf. Another Malaysian policeman was killed.

According to Cabunoc, with Aliep's release, the Abu Sayyaf has held seven foreign and local hostages captive in their strongholds in the predominantly Muslim island-provinces of Sulu and Basilan in the southernmost tip of the Philippines.

One report said that in July last year Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon swore an oath of loyalty to the leader of the Islamic State (IS) in Syria and Iraq. Endi