Rappler's latest stories on Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters
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

Families displaced by Maguindanao clashes cry for help
Traumatized by the sound of bombs and guns, at least 2,000 families caught in the battle between terrorists and the military are staying in makeshift booths in open spaces, a Moro community leader tells Rappler

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

Mindanao closer to peace as MILF decommissions 12,000 fighters – gov't
President Rodrigo Duterte will lead a ceremony in Maguindanao on Saturday, September 7, as former rebels from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front begin their transition to civilian life

12 terrorists killed in Maguindanao clash – military
The Armed Forces of the Philippines says the suspects were plotting bomb attacks in populous and urban areas

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

2 foreign fighters believed to be among 20 killed in Maguindanao clashes
The military is retrieving body parts to identify all of the fatalities in clashes between troops and suspected members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters

25 suspects face criminal charges for Sultan Kudarat bombing
Suspects are said to be members of a breakaway faction of 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

Military says 15 BIFF fighters killed in Maguindanao offensive
The military adds that the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front are working for the quick return of residents displaced by the offensive

P6.3-M reward for tipster in BIFF bombmaker Basit Usman's death
The informant against Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters bombmaker Basit Usman is one of several recipients of reward money totaling P27.6 million in a ceremony in Camp Aguinaldo

#ThewRap: Things you need to know, May 30, 2018
Hello! Here's a roundup of news you need to know this Wednesday.

BIFF firearms factory dismantled in Maguindanao
But suspected members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters are able to flee the area before police commandos can apprehend them

8 BIFF members killed in Mindanao – PH military
Armored vehicles and artillery were used against about 50 gunmen from the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) on Mindanao island on Thursday, March 8, local military spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Gerry Bisana says in a report

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

Duterte names obscure terrorist to justify extended martial law
If President Rodrigo Duterte is to be believed, a BIFF sub-leader may succeed Isnilon Hapilon as the top leader of the Islamic State in the entire Southeast Asia

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

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

'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
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

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
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

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

DOJ summons MILF, BIFF leaders over SAF deaths
At least 13 commanders of the MILF and the BIFF are required to appear during the first preliminary investigation hearing on November 11

Explosions in N. Cotabato cause 3-hour power outage in Maguindanao
Improvised explosive devices bring down two transmission towers of the National Grid Corporation in Pikit North Cotabato

DOJ: No charges vs killers of 9 SAF troopers in Mamasapano clash
The justice department also says charges cannot be filed against lone survivor PO2 Christopher Robert Lalan who allegedly killed several civilians in a mosque a day after the encounter for lack of evidence
