Philippine president vows to stop criminal activities of "peace spoilers"

Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III vowed on Wednesday to put an end to the criminal activities of rebel group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters ( BIFF) in southern Philippines. Aquino told reporters that the operation launched by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in southern Philippines is meant to protect the people in the region and to ensure that the rebels will not derail the peace process. "The AFP, in its role to protect our people, is going on these operations to prevent lawless activities (of rebels) from inflicting harm on our populace and to seriously degrade their ability to again act as spoilers," he said. Aquino said the Philippine military's cause is being boosted by the "enhanced cooperation" between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front following the completion of the four annexes of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB). He also made an assurance that the clashes between government troops and the BIFF would disrupt the ongoing peace process. The Philippine military confirmed that at least 40 BIFF members were killed in sporadic clashes in Datu Piang town, Maguindanao Province. The government and the MILF hope to secure a comprehensive agreement on the Bangsamoro by February or March. This will pave the way for the creation of a Bangsamoro political entity which will replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao by 2016.