Conflict vulnerable communities in Maguindanao del Sur especially in the SPMS box localities are in tension following the series of conflict incidents as a result of the bloody raid pursued by the government security forces against the brother of the top leader of BIFF on March 9, 2024 at Sitio Tatapan, Barangay Kitango, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur. The said raid resulted in the killing of the brother of the BIFF top leader and his son. This top leader of the BIFF is linked to many attacks on government security forces’ detachments in Maguindanao and part of North Cotabato since the emergence of BIFF in early 2010.
Following the raid incident, retaliations against the government security forces have been reported and this includes the short but heavy fighting in Barangay Pamalian, SSM that escalated to Barangay Dapiawan on March 13, 2024. Last night, the AFP detachment in Cowboy, Pagatin was harassed by BIFF and this morning, four members of the AFP under 40th IB were killed in an ambush incident at Barangay Tuayan 1, Datu Hoffee Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur and believed to be perpetrated by the members of the BIFF.
The ambush incident is expected to trigger forced displacement of civilians especially the AFP is now in the clearing and pursuit operation against the BIFF. Hence, the civilians are appealing to the conflicting parties to respect the holy month of Ramadan through taking necessary actions to prevent any forced displacement while observing the holy month of Ramadan and experiencing very hot temperature.
The women peace builders from Datu Saudi Ampatuan disclosed that if peace has the chance this month, this would be much appreciated by the innocent civilians as they cannot afford to observe fasting in the evacuation centers at the middle of hot temperature and economic crisis being experienced by the local population nowadays. These women peace builders are very worrying about the recent incidents as one of the trends and patterns of violent conflicts involving government security forces and extremist groups are taking place during this holy month, which caused unnecessary sufferings of civilians as results of displacement.
