BIFF recruiting new members in Sarangani

From the Manila Times (Oct 30, 2021): BIFF recruiting new members in Sarangani (By Jerry Adlaw)

RENEGADE members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), a militant organization that sympathizes with the Islamic State of Syria (ISIS) have been sighted encamped at the hinterland town of Kiamba and Maitum in Sarangani province and reportedly recruiting for members from the indigenous tribes of Blaan and Manobo in the area.

This was revealed to The Manila Times by one of the tribesmen who were recruited by the group.

A Blaan recruit who asked not to be named, said they were offered a monthly salary by a BIFF commander to join their cause. He said he was told that the BIFF funds came from outside the country.

The recruit also revealed that as recently as last week, various high-caliber firearms and ammunition were unloaded from the motorized pump boat at the shores of Maitum. He said the items were delivered to the nearby town of Kiamba.

An intelligence officer who requested not to be named said that the BIFF have been recruiting new members since last year when some of their members surrendered and returned to the folds of the law. The Philippine government has been aggressive in its campaign to lure extremists and rebels to surrender in exchange of benefits such as housing units and livelihood incentives.

"The BIFF may have been recruiting new members for them to be funded by ISIS with the intention to create another strong faction in preparation for the coming 2022 elections," said the intelligence officer.

Sarangani Gov. Steve Solon refused to be interviewed about the reported encampment of the BIFF in Kiamba and Maitum.

Residents from the two towns have expressed fear over the presence of the BIFF as they believed that the IS sympathizers will create atrocities and hostilities in their towns considering that recruitment of new members is ongoing.

The police and military however, have been deployed in various towns in Sarangani to secure peace and order in the entire province.

READ: Terrorists yield in Maguindanao

Sarangani local officials, meanwhile, brushed aside the report, saying that the information was unfounded.

There are unverified reports, too, that the BIFF has joined forces with another Mindanao-based terrorist group Dawlah Islamiya.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/10/30/news/regions/biff-recruiting-new-members-in-sarangani/1820215