Mine action groups condemn BIFF’s use of improvised explosive devices

MANILA (PNA) -- Local and international mine action groups have expressed grave concern and strongly condemned the recent use of victim-activated improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by the armed group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), particularly at Barangay Tee, Datu Salibo, Maguindanao.In a statement on Thursday, The Philippine Campaign to Ban Landmines (PCBL) and its international partner, the Swiss Foundation for Mine Action (FSD) called on the BIFF to cease from using these indiscriminate weapons, which can cause ravaging consequences to civilians and hinder ongoing development efforts in the area.The groups also stressed that the use of victim-activated IEDs, having the same function as the globally banned-anti-personnel landmines, is a clear violation of international humanitarian law. These indiscriminate weapons do not distinguish between combatants and civilians. Even a child could trigger such devices to explode,” the statement read.From a recent PNA report dated Feb. 20, military explosive ordnance disposal teams, during clearing operations at Barangay Tee had, so far disarmed and defused around 100 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) laid by BIFF.Armed Forces spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said that Barangay Tee seemed to be the center of the BIFF bomb-making effort due to the number of IEDs recovered and disarmed in the locality.PCBL and FSD advised the bandit group to take heed from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) who unilaterally declared in 2000 as an official policy that they would not use anti-personnel landmines and victim-activated IEDs in their armed struggle. This crucial decision by the MILF has saved countless of innocent lives and altered the future of the Bangsamoro for the better, and has helped to avoid the challenges of unusable land littered with explosives and landmines which continue to claim innocent lives in neighboring countries such as Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam,” they said.PCBL and FSD also strongly reminded all parties to the armed conflict that wars have limits and to respect international humanitarian law.”