BIFF denies it has a hand in Bukidnon bus bombing
• 06:47 AM Fri Dec 12, 2014
1,275
By:
Ferdinandh Cabrera and Edwin Fernandez
COTABATO CITY -- The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom
Fighters (BIFF) vehemently denied it had a hand in the Bukidnoon bus bombing
that killed 10 people, including students, even as the group condemned the
attack, its spokesperson said.
Abu Misry Mama, speaking for the BIFF, said his group only knew
of the incident which also hurt 41 after a Bukidnon based broadcasters
reached him for comment.
Mama instead blamed the military.
We cannot even pass Army checkpoints because most of our members
are wanted how could we bring bomb in that area? It should be investigated
properly,” Mama said in a phone interview.
Mama said he came up with the conclusion based on previous
revelations by Lieutenant Senior Grade Antonio Trillanes, now senator, on the spate of bombings in Mindanao.
BIFF admitted they have network of forces in Lanao Del Sur and
Bukidnon but there was no such plan to
attack non-combatants.
Other reports said one of the possible angles, aside from
terrorism, is extortion to the bus company of Rural Transit Mindanao Incorporated
(RTMI), operator of Rural Transit Bus.
The bus firm which franchise include Cagayan City to General
Santos City route, via Bukidnon, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and South
Cotabato. It also operates the Banisilan, North Cotabato, Wao Lanao Sur and
Bukidnon route.
The bus company had been repeatedly attacked in the past.
Meanwhile, Mama denied two BIFF members were killed in a clash
with elements of 45th Infantry
Battalion in Datu Unsay Wednesday afternoon.
Captain Jo-Ann Petinglay, 6th Infantry Division
information chief, earlier said two BIFF fighters were killed in an encounter
with the military in Datu Unsay,
Maguindanao, known bailiwick of the BIFF.
If they are our members, we could have retaliated immediately,”
Mama said said in the vernacular.
The killing was related to the alleged ambush of former Datu
Salibu town Mayor Akmad Ampatuan, Mama said.