Soldiers recover bodies of 3 BIFF men

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Government troopers recovered the bodies of three members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Barangay Salman, Ampatuan, Maguindanao on Friday.

The recovery of the bodies brought to 17 the number of slain BIFF or Dawla Islamiyah members since last week. Four soldiers were also killed.

Col. Jose Narciso, 601st Infantry Brigade commander, said the fatalities were abandoned by their fleeing comrades.

Members of peace and order councils in Maguindanao identified the fatalities as  Abdul Dinas, said to be a nephew of BIFF bombmaker Salahudin Hassan; Mosani Lomen and Pendih Sanggutin.

Narciso said an anti-personnel landmine and personal belongings were recovered from the fatalities.