5 more BIFF militants yield to military

 PAGADIAN CITY (March 18, 2021) - With the dwindling of the manpower and capability of their group, five more members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters-Karialan Faction laid down their arms and returned to the folds of the law in Maguindanao on March 16, 2021.

According to Western Mindanao Command Chief Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr., the five, whose identities are withheld for security reason, submitted themselves to Lt. Col. Cresencio Sanchez, Jr., Commanding Officer of the 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion.

“They handed over their firearms including one M16A1, one Cal. 30 Garand, one M78 Grenade Launcher, one 7.62mm Sniper rifle, and two Cal. 50 Barret rifle to express their sincere gesture,” said Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr.

During the initial debriefing, the former BIFF militants said they surrendered because they are tired of running away from government forces, and they also long to be with their families.

Lt. Col. Sanchez, Jr. said the five were subsequently presented to Col. Pedro Balisi, Jr., the Commander of the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade, in a simple ceremony held at the unit headquarters in Barangay Kamasi, Ampatuan, Maguindanao.

“We are coordinating with the local government officials to facilitate the enrollment of all the returnees on the reintegration program of the government,” said Col. Balisi, Jr 

The presentation ceremony was witnessed by Ampatuan Vice-Mayor Bai Yasmin Mangudadatu.

Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, Commander of Joint Task Force Central and 6th Infantry Division said the influx of surrender is attributed to the collaborative efforts of the military, local government units, the traditional leaders, and the peace-loving people of Maguindanao.

"Our troops conduct series of intensified stakeholder engagement to encourage the remaining extremists to surrender and cooperate with the government, thus we welcome these former BIFF members as they come back to the mainstream society; our concerted efforts will pave the way to the attainment of lasting peace in this part of Mindanao,” Maj. Gen. Uy further said.

Joint Task Force Central has listed a total of 28 BIFF members who surrendered during the 1st quarter of 2021.

“Congratulations to the men and women of the JTF Central for this remarkable feat.  We are hopeful that this faction will soon be dismantled and its remaining members will finally.embrace peace,” said Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr. (By JONG CADION with reports and photos from WestMinCom-PIO) 

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