BIFF to 'Red God' Warriorsand Let’s get it on!”

COTABATO CITY -– Let’s get it on.”This was the response of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) to a group of Christian militia who called themselves as Red God’s Soldiers” and surfaced, showed its force and had the ceremonial burning of ISIS signature black flag.The act was to send a message to the BIFF attackers and ISIS-inspired group that they will face fierce battle with civilian warriors once they dare to step-in in their courtyards.But BIFF spokesperson Abu Misry Mama, whose group signified allegiance with ISIS, said they are most willing and glad to meet these Red God’s group in the battlefield. Were not even unfazed with these government soldiers who are fully equip and have tanks yet we fought squarely against them, how much more with these few civilian group,” Mama as he downplayed the existence of civilian militia.The rebel spokesman when the group emerged it confimed BIFF’s earlier statement that these civilians were armed and sided with the Philippine military. So we have our proof that they are on the side of our enemies and they are not only innocent civilians,” Mama said.Mama then dared Philippine authorities to arrest those Christian armed civilians if they mean business in implementing election gun ban the way they treat BIFF members.He said as far as the BIFF is concerned, it does not recognize any Philippine law so we don’t care about the election gun ban.”The Army’s 6th Infantry Division said it has no idea about the existence of Red God warriors but these are being validated by local Army commander. We are still verifying its existence, but we are not tolerating the carrying of firearms if it was true, only those authorized government forces are allowed to bring firearms,” said Captain Jo-Ann Petinglay, the 6th Army division spokesperson.Petinglay cited the case in Mlang, North Cotabato where local conflict was settled with the deployment of Army peacekeeper forces. Soldiers served as buffer force in between Ilonggo settlers and Moro armed group disputing a vast track of agricultural lands.The Red God’s group said BIFF forces keep on harassing civilian farmers but ceased when soldiers were deployed. But once the soldiers were gone to other assignments, nobody will take care of them.It was the reason why civilians armed themselves because nobody will protect them against BIFF attacks once the soldiers leave.In Datu Abdullah Sangki town in Maguindanao, Gov. Esmael Toto Mangudadatu had met with claimants of vast tract of lands in Barangay Banaba and convinced warring groups to allow peaceful settlement of land conflict. Both sides signed an interim peace agreement allowing the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panels to intervene and concerned government agencies, like the environment and agrarian reform offices to help find solution to the problem.Mangudadatu also tasked Maguindanao Task Force Reconciliation and Unification (MTFRU) to take active part in conflict resolution.Initial probe by the provincial government showed the disputed land has overlapping land titles. (Ferdinandh Cabrera)