Philippine military ends offensive versus Islamic rebels

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced Monday the cessation of an all out offensive versus the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Front (BIFF) Islamic rebels.
"Effective today (March 30), the all-out offensive against the BIFF would be ended," Chief AFP Spokesman Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said.
"We have accounted 139 enemies killed, 53 wounded and 12 captured. They are now splintered into small groups to evade the pursuing soldiers. They are defeated in the battlefield by our gallant soldiers, marines and policemen," he added.
He further highlighted the AFP's next phase of operations by saying, "We are now entering the new phase of our operation which is peace and development. I want to emphasize that still, we will continuously deploy forces to secure communities and deny the BIFF entry into their former enclaves in Maguindanao."