TWELVE followers of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) have surrendered to government authorities in the province of Maguindanao, officials said Wednesday.
The BIFF surrenderers, who belong to the Bungos faction, surrendered to the troops of the Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion around 10:30 a.m. Monday in Sultan sa Barongis, Maguindanao.
“The surrenderers realized the futility of their cause and were encouraged by the unit’s purposive stakeholder’s engagement and observance of human rights and rule of law,” said Lieutenant Colonel Elmer Boongaling, Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion commander.
Boongaling identified the surrenderers as Wazire Talib Kumpas, Carlo Talib Maon, Alamansa Makungay Talib, Pair Andongan Makapagal, Tomy Maslayboto Mato, Mama Daud Jainudin, Jomar Masla Boy, Muhamad Saylila, Urasay Badi, Ben Saptula, Usman Gandang, and Agar Mangatug.
Boongaling presented them to Colonel Jose Narciso, Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade commander, and Sultan Sa Barongis Mayor Al-Fizzar Allandatu Angas, Sr. After they surrendered.
Narciso commended the troops and the municipal government for their strong collaboration that resulted in the successful surrender of the 12 BIFF followers.
The BIFF surrenderers handed over the following firearms and ammunition: three homemade caliber .50 Sniper Rifle; one homemade M-203 grenade launcher; one homemade M-79, one Rocket-Propelled Grenade; one 5.56-mm single shot rifle; one caliber 30 Mosin Nagant; three Garand converted to M-14 rifles; one Caliber 30 M1 Garand rifle; one RPG ammunition; and, three Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
Major General Diosdado Carreon, Joint Task Force Central commander, has urged other militants to follow the footsteps of the 12 BIFF surrenderers.
The 12 BIFF surrenderers and their firearms were brought to the headquarters of the Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion for custodial debriefing and proper disposition.
“I am very much delighted to see the results of our collaborative efforts in reaching out to our deluded brothers and sisters and convincing them to return to the folds of the law,” said Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief.
“We will work on the surrenderers’ assistance and livelihood programs from the government,” Sobejana added. (SunStar Zamboanga)