SIX members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) have surrendered to authorities in North Cotabato, the military reported Monday, August 21, 2023.
The Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) did not identify the BIFF surrenderers except to say they belong to the BIFF-Karialan faction.
The Westmincom said three of the six BIFF extremists surrendered at the headquarters of the 90th Infantry Battalion (IB) in Ladtingan village, Pikit, North Cotabato around 1 p.m. Friday, August 18.
The trio handed over two Garand rifles and one caliber .30 Barrett sniper rifle to Colonel Neil Alfonso Roldan, 602nd Infantry Brigade deputy commander.
The Westmincom said the other three, who also belong to the BIFF-Karialan faction, have surrendered to the operators of the Community Support Program-Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (CSP-PCVE) in Kabasalan, also in Pikit, North Cotabato around 5:27 p.m. Friday, August 18.
They turned over one M14 rifle with a magazine, one Garand rifle with a clip, one caliber .45 pistol with a magazine, and assorted ammunition.
Roldan attributed the influx of surrenders to the continuing CSP-PCVE efforts of the 90IB to locate and encourage the remaining members of the BIFF to return to the folds of the law and conduct a series of peace dialogues in the area.
Lieutenant General Roy Galido, Westmincom chief, said the military’s successful implementation is a result of the collaborative efforts of the operating troops, partner agencies, local government units, and other stakeholders. (SunStar Zamboanga)