A FIELD commander and eight followers, including a bombmaker, of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) have surrendered brought about by pressures of an intensified military offensive against them in Maguindanao, officials announced Sunday, October 25, 2020.

Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan, Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), identified the BIFF field commander and bombmaker of the BIFF as Rahib Baguindali Nawal and Abdulrahim Kinona Mariano, respectively.

Vinluan said the other BIFF surrenderers are the following: Zed Baguindali Nawal; Mamalinta Em Abdul; Kasim Mujahid Abdul; Abdul Rafael Kanda; Jessie Abunawas Abdul; Surab Abdullah; and Mentato Mesol.

Vinluan said they surrendered Saturday to the 57th Infantry Battalion and have turned over high-powered firearms that include one M4A1 Carbine, one caliber 5.56 millimeter (mm) Bushmaster, one caliber 5.56-mm Heckler and Koch 416, one M-16 Armalite rifle, one M-14 rifle, two Homemade caliber 50 Sniper rifles, and two Homemade Rocket Propelle Grenades with two ammunition.

Vinluan said the surrenderers were involved in the series of armed engagements in March this year in Salman village, Ampatuan, Maguindanao.

He said they were also involved in harassment and clashed in Maguindanao and North Cotabato provinces.

Vinluan said they were exhausted and had nothing to eat due to the continuous combat operations against them.

The nine were presented to Major General Juvymax Uy, Joint Task Force Central commander, and Brigadier General Jesus Rico Atencio, 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade commander, during the 33rd Founding Anniversary celebration of the 6th Infantry Division in Camp Siongco, Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

“This success is attributed to the collaborative efforts of the military, local government units, the traditional leaders and the peace-loving people of Maguindanao,” Atencio said.

Uy vowed support to the surrenderers in their reintegration into mainstream society. (SunStar Zamboanga)