SEVEN more members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) have surrendered to authorities in Maguindanao, the military reported Tuesday, June 14.
The surrenderers, who belong to the BIFF-Karialan and Bungos factions, were only identified through their aliases: Rambo, 30; Abdul, 19; Domeng, 32; Ben, 32; Nash, 32; Tumban, 28; and Bas, 25.
They surrendered Monday, June 13, to the Army's 92nd Infantry Battalion (IB) and yielded three caliber 30 M1 Garand rifles, one caliber 7.62 Garand rifle that was converted to M-14 rifle, two caliber 30 Mauser rifles, and one rocket-propelled grenade.
Lieutenant Colonel Nathaniel Balintong, 92IB commander, presented them to Colonel Leodevic Guinid, 1st Brigade Combat Team (1BCT) commander; Sultan Mastura Mayor Rauf Mastura Jr.; Sultan Kudarat Mayor Datu Ahmad Tucao Ong Mastura; and other representatives from the local government units.
Representatives of the two local government units handed over financial assistance and three sacks of rice to each of the BIFF surrenderers during the ceremonial presentation held at the 1BCT headquarters in Pigcalagan village, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.
This is the second batch of BIFF surrenderers for this month of June. On June 7, five BIFF members yielded to the military in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant General Alfredo Rosario Jr., commander of Western Mindanao Command, said the influx of BIFF surrender is a result of the collaborative efforts of the military, other security sectors, stakeholders, and the local government units.
"This is also attributable to the good governance executed by our local government officials," Rosario added.
Joint Task Force Central listed a total of 133 BIFF surrenders during the first six months of the year. (SunStar Zamboanga)