ELEVEN members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), including a minor, have surrendered to military authorities in the province of Maguindanao, the military reported Friday, July 22, 2022.
They surrendered Wednesday, July 20, to the troops of the 1st Brigade Combat Team (1BCT) in Pigcalagan village, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao and were presented to Major General Roberto Capulong, acting Joint Task Force (JTF)-Central commander, and Colonel Leodevic Guinid, commander of the 1BCT.
Guinid said that five of the surrenderers were former members of the BIFF-Karialan faction and the remaining six of the Dawlah Islamiya-Turaife group.
The surrenderers handed over seven 7.62-millimeter (mm) Sniper rifles, two caliber .30 M1 Garand rifles, one 9-mm M1 Ingram, and one 40-mm M-79 Tube.
“In our quest for lasting peace, we always acknowledge the genuine support of our partners and stakeholders who wholeheartedly work with us as we continue to address the security concerns in our area of operation,” said Lieutenant General Alfredo Rosario, Jr., commander of Western Mindanao Command.
The surrenderers underwent initial processing for them to avail of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program of the government. (SunStar Zamboanga)