A DIVISION commander of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) division and five of his followers surrendered to the military authorities in Maguindanao, military officials announced Sunday, April 17, 2021.

Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said they surrendered Saturday morning to the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade headed by Colonel Pedro Balisi, Jr. in Kamasi village, Ampatuan, Maguindanao.

Vinluan identified the BIFF division commander who surrendered as Abunawas Ibad Damiog alias Bayawak, 4th Division Commander/Deputy for Military of BIFF-Bungos Faction.

Vinluan said Damiog’s followers were identified as follows: Yasser Bago Abunawas; Anwar Alim Sangki; Olon Bago Abunawas; Mohammad Kanakan Ibad; and Dihan Abdul Ali.

He said they yielded two M-16 Armalite rifles, one M-14 rifle, one M-16 “Baby” Armalite rifle, one caliber .30 M1 Garand rifle, and, one locally made caliber 50 Barret rifle with corresponding ammunition.

He said Damiog disclosed during the debriefing that he wants to live a peaceful life with his family and he got tired of following the orders of top leaders without getting anything in return.

“May the surrender of Damiog be an eye-opener to his followers,” said Major General Juvymax Uy, commander of the Joint Task Force Central.

“Rest assured that we will help them to go back to their normal lives by providing them with livelihood opportunities,” Uy added.

Since January, a total of 42 BIFF members have surrendered to the Joint Task Force Central. (SunStar Zamboanga)