Rappler's latest stories on BIFF
4 soldiers killed in Maguindanao clashes with pro-ISIS militants
Government troops recover the bodies of 5 militants, and are verifying reports of 9 other casualties from the terrorist Dawlah Islamiyah Torayfie Group

3 pro-ISIS militants killed in Maguindanao clashes – military
Separatist terror groups pose a challenge to the newly established regional government of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which marks its first anniversary this month

Pro-ISIS BIFF faction behind Isulan bomb attack – military
The blast that wounded 8 people on September 7 was the group's way of gaining attention following setbacks from battles with government forces, says Western Mindanao's military commander

Elderly woman killed, 2 others wounded in North Cotabato air strike
The military says the air and ground assault at dawn was in an area controlled by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters

Troops clash with BIFF in Maguindanao town center
The military says it foiled an attempt of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters to occupy the town hall of Datu Paglas town after a 9-hour operation that included air strikes on Tuesday, July 3

Military probes pregnant woman's death in Maguindanao mortar strike
While waiting for the result of the probe, the military sends representatives to provide financial support and condole with the families of the victims

IN PHOTOS: A soldier's marriage proposal in between battles in Sultan Kudarat
Corporal Denemar Albani, 27, pops the question to his girlfriend, Private Christine Porcadilla, on the eve of Valentine's Day with the help of their fellow troopers from the 33rd Infantry (Makabayan) Battalion

Presence of foreign terrorists remains a challenge in PH
At least one faction of the Maguindanao-based Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) is coddling foreign terrorists

#ThewRap: Things you need to know, November 16, 2017
Hello! Here are the stories you shouldn't miss this Thursday.

Freedom House report, Maguindanao airstrike, Trump on U.S.-PH ties | Evening wRap
Watch the evening newscast with Marguerite de Leon

PH military conducts air strikes vs MILF breakaway group
Ground troops are conducting clearing operations after targeting a Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters encampment in Maguindanao

3 explosions hit Maguindanao in a week
Troops in Maguindanao are fighting the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, another ISIS-linked local terror group

Singapore police arrest citizen who tried to join Marawi fighting
Singapore s Ministry of Home Affairs says Imran Kassim has harbored the intention to join the pro ISIS militant groups that had invaded Marawi City in southern Philippines

Palace, military downplay BIFF threats vs Duterte
The military says the BIFF was driven to make threats against President Rodrigo Duterte out of embarrassment as its attack on a North Cotabato village failed to inflict substantial damage on government forces

31 BIFF hostages rescued in North Cotabato – military
Military spokesperson Brigadier General Restituto Padilla says all the hostages including 12 children are safe

Duterte, BIFF, Brussels attack | Midday wRap
Watch the midday newscast with Marguerite de Leon

BIFF attacks North Cotabato village, holds civilians hostage
4TH UPDATE Members of the BIFF have occupied a primary school in Pigcawayan town and have taken hostages says the military

Calida, Dalquez, Fisher | Midday wRap
Watch the midday newscast with Acor Arceo

'Peace-loving' Muslims included in Calida terror list – expert
Balik Islam Group in the Philippines is very peaceful very democratic and very tolerant and linking them with ISIS is in fact providing them an injustice says terror expert Rommel Banlaoi

20 ISIS cell groups operate in Mindanao – Calida
UPDATED Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana says however that these cell groups have been degraded to almost an insignificant number
The Maute Group and rise of family terrorism
ISIS encourages terrorism in families experiencing frustrations marginalization and deprivation

2 children among killed in Maguindanao drug raid
Two other minors are wounded including a 12 month old boy after men of suspected drug lord and BIFF member Willie Akil Utto fired upon the raiding team

Military attacks BIFF in Maguindanao
The military s spokesman cites intelligence sources as saying 21 extremists were killed and 26 wounded although no bodies were recovered

Finger-pointing on Mamasapano
If Aquino was ultimately responsible for Mamasapano should not Duterte accept ultimate accountability for the murder by PNP officers of Jee Ick Joo and any murder subsequently discovered to have been perpetrated by the police?

Nazareno, Bautista, Uson | Evening wRap
Watch Rappler s evening newscast with David Lozada

50 recaptured, over 100 still on the run in PH's biggest jailbreak
UPDATED The BJMP says 13 high value targets – 7 Muslim rebels and 6 organized crime gang members – were not among the 158 inmates who bolted a North Cotabato jail

Defense chief suspects Maute-BIFF alliance in Leyte blast
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana says initial reports suggest that the two groups have entered into a tactical alliance to divert the miiltary from its focused operations in the southern Philippines
Duterte in Japan, citizens’ hotline, Vatican on cremation | 6PM wRap
Watch Rappler’s 6PM newscast with Zak Yuson

Pro-ISIS groups in PH, gender equality, Apple sales | 12PM wRap
Watch the noontime edition of Rappler s newscast with Zak Yuson

4 PH terror groups link up with pro-ISIS fighters in region
A Jakarta based think tank warns of cross border extremist operations citing the Davao City bombing in September as proof of these linkages in Southeast Asia

Dureza: We've moved from negotiation to partnership with MILF
UPDATED Dureza says the launch of the implementation phase of the peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front is a milestone

Dureza flying to Norway to meet with Joma Sison
UPDATED Dureza says he will be accompanied by incoming Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III and former congressman Hernani Braganza

ISIS-inspired militants on offensive in southern Philippines
The influence of ISIS in the Philippines is growing stronger and expanding say analysts

3 dead in Maguindanao bomb blast as troops, BIFF clash
Authorities say Muslim rebels booby trapped a highway to target military convoys but it detonated when a van with 6 civilians drove through it late Tuesday
3 soldiers wounded, 3 Muslim rebels dead in Maguindanao fighting
The fierce gun battle occurred simultaneously in the villages of Butilen Andabit and Tee the military says

3 BIFF killed in Maguindanao clashes over bridge project
Intense fighting resumes early Saturday hours after a dozen BIFF members attack the site of a bridge construction project in Barangay Butilen

DOJ resolution on Mamasapano clash out 'in 3 to 4 weeks'
The justice department asks the public to give the prosecutors more time to come up with a resolution considering the number of respondents involved in the very sensitive case

WATCH: Senate joint public hearing on Mamasapano
Watch the livestream of the Senate probe here


IN PHOTOS: Red God Defenders
Members of a newly formed armed Christian group in Mindanao have come out in public to show their strong opposition against attacks by ISIS inspired organizations in their communities

Leonen on Poe, civilians vs ISIS, Indonesia’s Mount Egon | 12PM wRap
Watch the 12PM edition of Rappler s newscast The wRap

Civilians take up arms vs ISIS and BIFF in Mindanao
In a gathering somewhere in the mountains of Central Mindanao Brother Asiong spokesman for Red God s Soldiers leads over 300 men in burning the ISIS flag

Philippines concerned over 'emerging' terror threat
Our security forces are well aware of the emerging threat and have been conducting operations to prevent terror acts anywhere in the country says a joint Philippine military and police statement after the Jakarta attacks

Thousands in parts of Mindanao welcome 2016 in evacuation sites
As people flee their homes in Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat due to attacks by the BIFF Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu urges the MILF to help the government run after the members of its breakaway group

BIFF launches New Year attacks on Army detachments
The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters BIFF maintains an offensive as it targets the Philippine Army

Hope for 2016, Reporters Without Borders, Iraq vs ISIS | 6PM wRap
Watch the 6PM edition of Rappler s newscast The wRap

Civilians carry guns for defense vs BIFF rebels in Maguindanao
We have information that they may attack again This time we are ready We cannot let them kill us say villagers still reeling from the Christmas eve attack on their community
Pope hits Christmas Eve attacks by BIFF
UPDATED Pope Francis ‘asks all believers to reject violence in the name of God as the BIFF claims the attacks as part of a holy war

Chiz on Comelec, Xmas lights, Steph Curry | 6PM wRap
Watch the 6PM edition of Rappler s newscast The wRap

BIFF kills 11 in Maguindanao, S. Kudarat on Christmas eve
The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters a breakaway group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front owns up to the attacks as part of their Jihad or holy war
