MANILA - Residents who fled their homes following clashes between government troops and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Maguindanao can now return to their homes, a military official said Wednesday.

Speaking to ANC, 33rd Infantry Battalion commanding officer Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc clarified that the site of skirmishes is far from communities.

"It's too far from the actual firefight," he said.

#ANCRecap: Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc of the 33rd Infantry Batallion says families displaced by the clash between military and BIFF can return home. pic.twitter.com/CmOdD6xyNw

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The clashes, which began in Liguasan Marsh, have left at least 15 members of the BIFF dead.

• 15 suspected BIFF members killed in Maguindanao clash

At least 500 families have evacuated since firefights between the military and the BIFF began last Sunday.

Cabunoc said as of Wednesday, military operations still persist.

"Until now we're still conducting operations... It's quite hard. We're actually facing challenges," he said.