Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement: A Policy Option

Typical Operation

              Military intelligence has produced reports indicating that Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFM) forces have recently become increasingly active in the Maguindanao province. In response the Filipino Special Action Force (SAF) have deployed troops to the area for a series of actions including patrols and the controlling of major transportation routes. After the deployment of military forces the situation has seemed to have deescalated. However, without warning grenade is fired at a SAF truck while passing through a checkpoint outside of the city of Datu Piang. The explosion is quickly followed by small arms fire coming from at least five different assailants. In the ensuing firefight with military personnel, two of the assailants are killed as well as the civilian driver of the military truck. Several nearby civilians and one SAF soldier are also severely wounded during the assault. Though the government has quickly responded to the attack, criticisms have been made regarding subsequent actions by the government.
               This scenario is an example of what a typical BIFM attack might look like. The majority of attacks are carried out within the groups own area of operation. The attacks, which usually involve explosives or small arms, are often meant to target uniformed military personnel who have been deployed to the southern region of the country. Attacks such as this pose a serious issue for the Filipino government when attempting to respond. As the actions of BIFM can often be considered body insurgent actions and terrorist actions, the is no consensus as to what strategy should be taken. There are different existing strategies for both counter-insurgency (COIN) and counter terrorism (CT), both of which feature differing tactical decisions as well as philosophical understandings of how a response should be framed. The following report will analyze the BIFM through their tactics, history and goals to better understand what kind of strategy should be implemented for the Filipino government to best deal with the threat of BIFM and similar groups within their borders.

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