[Inquirer] Attacks by renegade Moro militants are prompting residents of a village here to arm themselves for protection, say village leaders. Men from the village of Kauran said they would not leave anything to chance following attacks by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) that began on Christmas Day and have already killed at least six villagers."This is to defend ourselves and our communities," said a farmer, brandishing an Armalite rifle. He denied that he and other villagers who were arming themselves were members of the Pulahan, a Christian militia.
The farmers said that after the BIFF rampage, village leaders decided to go out on armed patrol to secure the village. The farmer said, "We take turns securing the village. Some sleep, but many of us remain awake at night."
The farmer said the village residents can't understand why the BIFF has made their community a target. He said, "This is too much. We have not done anything wrong. We are just farmers working hard to earn a living. Then the BIFF would come and kill us. This is not correct, this is inhuman."
Local residents said that aside from killing six of their neighbors, BIFF guerrillas also attacked the village of Palian on December 24 and executed two men. The farmer said, "We were supposed to celebrate Christmas. Instead, we are mourning the deaths of our six neighbors."
Another villager, who apparently has not slept for days, said they could not afford to be complacent because "there are reports that the BIFF is just around the village, observing and watching us. If they attack again, we are ready this time."
Since the Christmas Eve attack, only men move around the village while children and women were moved to the village hall. At least 6,000 people from neighboring villages have also fled.
One armed villager said, "If they come, we will welcome them with bullets, we will return the favor."
Colonel Ricky Bunayog, head of the 33rd Infantry Battalion, said soldiers had already been deployed around the communities the BIFF attacked. "The military is ready now," he said.
“We are holding the BIFF accountable for these attacks,” said , head of the Western Mindanao Command, after meeting local military commanders in Maguindanao province.
Asked to comment on civilians taking up arms, Major General Mayoralgo de la Cruz said only militiamen would be allowed to carry firearms in the village. He said, "If civilians are proven to be possessing guns without authority, they will be arrested and charged. Only paramilitary [men] will be allowed to carry guns in Kauran."