Military Wiki
Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters
Dates of operation 2008–Present
Motives Bangsamoro Republik independence
Active region(s) Philippines
Ideology Islamic fundamentalism
Status Active
Size 200+

The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) is a Muslim militant organization based in Mindanao, the Philippines. They are a smaller player in the overall Moro insurgency in the Philippines and are mostly active in central Mindanao.

Led by Ameril Umbra Kato, the BIFF broke away from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in 2008.[1] In 2008, after the Philippine Supreme Court nullified the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain signed by the Philippine government and the MILF, Kato led a contingent of MILF fighters in an attack against civilians.[2] Their goal is independence for the Bangsamoro people and area, and they have declared that they will not settle for anything less. They rejected the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, a preliminary peace agreement signed between the Government of the Philippines and the MILF and vowed to continue their fight.[3][4][5]

In January 2014, after the final annexes of the Framework Agreement were signed, the Armed Forces of the Philippines launched Operation Darkhorse against the BIFF. The army captured the BIFF's main camp in Barangay Ganta, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao which reportingly held 500 fighters.[6]

On February 4, 2014, MNLF Islamic Command Council chairman Habib Mujahab Hashim confirmed reports that the BIFF forged an alliance with his group, the Moro National Liberation Front.[7]

There is also alleged reports that more than 200 Filipinos under BIFF and Abu Sayyaf are training as jihadists in Iraq under the Islamic State. BIFF has declared support for the Islamic State.[8]

References[]

  1. "A Day With The Mujahideen Of The BIFF (Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters) - 1". 22 April 2012. http://theunjustmedia.com/Islamic%20Perspectives/april12/A%20Day%20With%20The%20Mujahideen%20Of%20The%20BIFF%20(Bangsamoro%20Islamic%20Freedom%20Fighters)%20-%201.htm. Retrieved 3 February 2014. 
  2. Romero, Alexis (February 3, 2014). "Military declares end of offensive vs BIFF". http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2014/02/03/1285992/military-declares-end-offensive-vs-biff. Retrieved 3 February 2014. 
  3. Acosta, Rene P. (2012-09-24). "Philippines rebel group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters undermines peace talks | Asia Pacific Defense Forum in English". Apdforum.com. http://apdforum.com/en_GB/article/rmiap/articles/online/features/2012/09/24/philippines-peace-challenged. Retrieved 2013-09-28. 
  4. "Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) | Terrorist Groups | TRAC". Trackingterrorism.org. http://www.trackingterrorism.org/group/bangsamoro-islamic-freedom-fighters-biff. Retrieved 2013-09-28. 
  5. "5 soldiers, 18 Moro rebels slain in clashes | Inquirer News". Newsinfo.inquirer.net. 2013-07-08. http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/440173/army-biff-clashes-leave-12-killed. Retrieved 2013-09-28. 
  6. Pacardo, Louie O., and Albert F. Arcilla (February 2, 2014). "Soldiers overrun rebel camp in Maguindanao". http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Nation&title=Soldiers-overrun-rebel-camp-in-Maguindanao&id=82861. Retrieved 3 February 2014. 
  7. Medina, Andrei (February 4, 2014). "MNLF, BIFF form alliance – report". http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/346990/news/nation/mnlf-biff-form-alliance-report. Retrieved 5 March 2014. 
  8. "BIFF, Abu Sayyaf pledge allegiance to Islamic State jihadists | News | GMA News Online". Gmanetwork.com. 2014-08-16. http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/375074/news/nation/biff-abu-sayyaf-pledge-allegiance-to-islamic-state-jihadists. Retrieved 2014-08-22. 

See also[]

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