BIFF bomb threat forces closure of Maguindanao highway

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 30): BIFF bomb threat forces closure of Maguindanao highway

A threat by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) to detonate improvised explosive devices (IEDs) along a portion of the highway connecting Maguindanao to General Santos City and Cotabato has forced the closure of the said roadway Tuesday morning.

Senior Supt. Rodelio Jocson, Maguindanao police commander, said the closure stranded travelers.

He added IED clearing operations are ongoing.

Before the closure, government forces and BIFF fighters engaged in a firefight at Guindulungan in Maguindanao.

The BIFF is founded by Ameril Umbra Kato who led attacks in Mindanao in 2008 after the Supreme Court thumbed down a memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=549407