CCCH chief says foreign nationals reportedly helping BIFF

Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (Photo courtesy of the Institute for the Study of Violent Groups; www.isvg.org)

BAGUIO CITY  — Brig. Gen. Carlito Galvez,head of the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH), on Saturday said that they have received reports that some foreign nationals are helping the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

Galvez bared this during the sidelights of the Philippine Military Academy homecoming activities on Saturday here. Galvez is a graduate of the PMA Class of 1985.

While they still have to confirm this, the CCCH chief said that they have been receiving information that some foreign nationals are actively helping the BIFF by training its members in military tactics, particularly in the construction of improvised bombs.

He said foreign nationals allegedly helping the BIFF are Indonesians, Malaysians and Singaporeans.

The CCCH head made this statement when asked if there is truth to reports that an Indonesian jihadist was among those killed during the bloody Mamasapano, Maguindanao encounter last Jan. 25.

Killed in the incident were 44 Special Action Force members, 18 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members and five BIFF members, including the Indonesian jidahist.