Officials tag BIFF, Al-Khobar group in N. Cotabato bombing

From the Philippine Star (Jan 2): Officials tag BIFF, Al-Khobar group in N. Cotabato bombing

Local officials are convinced only either the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), or the Al-Khobar extortion ring could be responsible for Wednesday’s bombing of the public market in Mlang, North Cotabato.

Mlang Mayor Joselito Piñol said the bombing, which killed two of his constituents and injured more than 30 others, could be in retaliation for the earlier arrest of a guerilla bomb expert implicated in the November 23 bombing in the same town.

Two Mlang residents were killed while more than 20 others were injured in the bombing, which local leaders said was perpetrated by the brigand BIFF.

“The denial by the BIFF that it was not responsible for the two recent bombings in our municipality is unbelievable. All leads point to that group as responsible for these bombings,” Piñol said.

Abu Misry Mama, spokesman of the outlawed BIFF, said the local government unit of Mlang should first investigate extensively on both bombings before pointing an accusing finger at them.

“We only attack military targets, not public markets, public terminals and buses carrying passengers,” Mama said.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2015/01/02/1408770/officials-tag-biff-al-khobar-group-n.-cotabato-bombing