Cotabato police files raps vs BIFF

From the Manila Bulletin (Oct 3): Cotabato police files raps vs BIFF

KIDAPAWAN CITY – The North Cotabato police believes that the case filed against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) that launched series of attacks in at least nine villages in Midsayap last week remains strong as evidence against them is more than enough to convict them.

Cotabato provincial police office director Sr. Supt. Danny Peralta said they have already filed several complaints on murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder against two known commanders of the BIFF last Wednesday.

Charged were BIFF commanders DM and Abbas Kudanding.

Meanwhile, more than 30 unnamed BIFF members were also identified by witnesses as those behind the attack last September 23 that killed seven and wounded eight people.

Peralta said the evidence against them is “more than enough” to convict them.

“We have photos, sketches, and testimonies from soldiers wounded in the attack and from the relatives of the civilians killed,” he said, adding that the attacks were done in broad daylight so witnesses saw the attackers’ faces and body built.

On the other hand, an unnamed source has disclosed that the two BIFF commanders who were charged are hiding somewhere in the Liguasan marsh.

“These commanders are being secured by residents in the marsh because most of them are their relatives or members of their clans,” the source said.

To date, evacuees from Barangay Malingao in Midsayap, where the alleged hostage taking took place, have already returned to their homes.

Peralta said that an additional Special Action Forces from the PNP have been deployed in the area to ensure the safety of the residents.

The BIFF is under Ustadz Ameril Umbra Kato, former commander of the 105th base command of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

http://www.mb.com.ph/cotabato-police-files-raps-vs-biff/