Tight security measures vs BIFF hitmen targeting soldiers

COTABATO CITY --- Personnel of the Army’s 5th Special Forces Battalion and the Cotabato City Traffic Management Unit under the mayor's office are subjecting motorists to random inspections to restrain Islamic militants targeting soldiers from moving around.

The operation was launched after motorcycle-riding members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters killed four off-duty soldiers in separate attacks in the city and in Maguindanao province from between Thursday until Sunday to avenge the deaths of companions in military operations early on.

The BIFF, which operates in the fashion of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, has claimed responsibility for the killings and warned of more if members are killed in continuing offensives by the Army's 6th Infantry Division.