4 BIFF men held for guns

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines — Police detained four suspected members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Datu Abdullah Sangki town on Friday after an inspection of their vehicle yielded high-powered firearms.

Town police chief Lt. Judith Ambong said two rifles and a grenade launcher were recovered from Taib Guimbalangan, 55; Mercipol Zainudin, 27; Ali Mohammad, 25, and Farhan Saludin, 20, when their Hyundai Accent was pulled over at a checkpoint in Barangay Dimaampao.

“We received tips... that a vehicle carrying four armed men was to pass by Barangay Dimaampao from Radja Buayan,” Ambong said.

Six others were recently arrested for carrying assorted guns and 6,000 rounds of ammunition for a 5.56-caliber rifle in neighboring Shariff Saidona Mustapha and Mamasapano.

There is a strong presence of BIFF bandits in the areas.