SUMMARY

After BIFM was formed in late 2010 or early 2011 (under the name BIFF) tensions were high between the two groups, although MILF tried to convince Umbra Kato and his BIFM to rejoin the group. In August 2011, fighting erupted between BIFM commander Abunawas Ebad and MILF commander Adzme Kasim over a six-hectare agricultural land near Datu Piang town of Maguindanao province.

Clan feuds are common in the southern parts of the Philippines and are locally called "ridos". A rido can go on for years or even decades before it is solved, often with the help of third party mediators and blood money. But what started as a rido soon turned into a conflict between BIFM and MILF. Around 3000 civilians were forced to flee their homes due to the fighting in August. Sporadic clashes between the parties occurred in September, October and November, but the violence did not escalate again.

The fighting has been concentrated to Maguindanao province and especially around Datu Piang town where BIFM has its stronghold.

The non-state conflict between BIFM and MILF is first included in UCDP data in 2011. In August that year fighting erupted around Datu Piang town and by early September fighting had resulted in at least 25 battle-related deaths.