5 Islamic preachers leave BIFF, form breakaway group

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines – Five radical clerics bolted from the separatist Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and called themselves the “moassesseen,” or the Mindanao counterpart of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

Local officials in the province confirmed that five Islamic preachers bolted from the BIFF to form a breakaway faction focused on establishing an Asian Islamic caliphate allied with the ISIS.

The BIFF, who had earlier pledged allegiance to the ISIS, released a statement on Thursday identifying the five Islamic clerics as Salahudin Hassan, Abdulmalik Esmael, Bashir Ungab, Nasser Adil and Ansari Yunos.

The five clerics branded themselves as “moassesseen,” an Arabic term for “founders.”

“They are no longer with BIFF and the BIFF has nothing to do with their activities now,” BIFF spokesman Abu Misry Mama said.

Relatives said the five jihadists broke away from the BIFF after forging alliances with the Maute terror group and the notorious Abu Sayyaf in Sulu.

The BIFF earlier split into two factions, one led by Karialan and the other by Bongos, who differed in their views on jihad and on how to relate with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which is helping the military restrain them from terror attacks in Central Mindanao.

The BIFF was founded in late 2010 by Ameril Ombra Kato, a former MILF commander.

Kato bolted from the MILF in late 2010 due to his opposition to pursuing a negotiated peace deal with the government.

Like the Abu Sayyaf, the BIFF claims loyalty to the ISIS.

Meanwhile, government troops yesterday found several firearms and ammunition that were abandoned by the Abu Sayyaf in a remote village in Tuburan, Basilan.

Maj. Filemon Tan Jr., spokesman of Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said the troops from the Army’s Scout Rangers spotted a suspected Abu Sayyaf gunman and gave chase.

Tan said the bandit alerted his companions in the area and fled.

He said the troops arrived several minutes later and found an M14 and M16 rifles, several rounds of ammunition and magazines, four rifle grenades and some clothing. – With Roel Pareño, Cecille Suerte Felipe