MANILA -- Maguindanao Governor Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu believes some members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) may have been involved in the Maguindanao massacre - the worst election-related violence in the history of the Philippines. Mangudadatu, whose wife and some relatives were killed in the 2009 slaughter, said this allegation should prompt government troops to further intensify their campaign against the BIFF, a breakaway group of the Moro Islamic Liberaton Front (MILF) opposed to the peace process. "Doon sa Maguindanao massacre suspects, balita namin nandoon na sila sa BIFF," Mangudadatu said, adding that it's not too late for the BIFF to become a part of the peace process. The military and police launched an offensive operation against BIFF leaders right after the government and the MILF ended negotiations to end a decades-long insurgency in Mindanao that has killed thousands. As soldiers wind down their campaign against the BIFF, many affected residents still do not want to return to their homes. More than 5,000 students in Datu Piang, Datu Salibo, and Shariff Saydona Mustapha in Maguindanao are affected as their schools are still being used as evacuation centers by residents displaced by the conflict, according to Department of Education – ARMM Secretary Jamar Kulayan Health officials and parents fear that the number of sick children could rise due to prolonged stay in evacuation centers and lack of access to clean water and food.
