11 BIFF members surrender in Maguindanao

PAGADIAN CITY (Feb. 7, 2021) - Eleven members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters-Karialan Faction surrendered to the government forces in Datu Piang, Maguindanao on Saturday, February 6, 2021, the Western Mindanao Command Chief said.

"The eleven BIFF members surrendered to the troops of the 6th Infantry Battalion at Sitio Landing Fish, Barangay Buayan, Datu Piang at around 8 a.m. S,” WestMinCom Commander Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr., disclosed..

The said personalities handed over the following rifles: one M653 A1, two M16 A1s, one M16 A3, one BAR, one Improvised Cal. 50 Sniper, one Improvised Cal. 30 Sniper, one Cal. 30 Garand, two M14s, one Homemade Grenade Launcher, and one 40mm M79.

1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade Commander Col. Ferdinand Lacadin commended the troops of the 6IB and the intelligence units of the AFP and PNP for facilitating the successful surrender of 11 BIFF.

According to the surrendered personalities, one of the reasons why they decided to surrender is that they miss their families and they wish to live a peaceful life with them.

“One of the eleven became emotional as he was narrating that he joined the group while his son was still small but now he already has grandchildren,” said Lt. Col. Charlie Banaag, Commanding Officer of the 6IB.

“Now, all he wishes for is to be reunited with his family,” Lt. Col. Banaag added.

The said personalities also revealed that they are tired of hiding and they lack financial support hence their surrender.

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, Commander of the Joint Task Force Central said, “The balanced use of military and non-military efforts is being conducted by our line units and is now proven effective.”

Maj. Gen. Uy also said that since his assumption last September 7, 2020, a total of 71 BIFF militants have laid down their arms and returned to the folds of the law.

“Our PCVE programs such as the AGILA-HAVEN (Anak na may Ginintuang Layunin upang Hintuan Ang Violent Extremism Ngayon) encouraged the terrorists and violent extremists to abandon their armed struggle and return to the mainstream society,” Maj. Gen. Uy added.

Custodial debriefing of the surrendered personalities is still being conducted.

“We would like to thank our stakeholders and the civilians for the positive gesture of support and cooperation in our journey of bringing long and lasting peace in the WestMinCom’s joint area of operations,” said Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr.

“The eleven are the 1st batch of BIFF members who surrendered to the 6IB this year and we are optimistic that more will come as we continue our peace campaign,” Lt. Gen. Vinluan explained. (By JONG CADION with reports and photos from WestMinCom)

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