Enlightened BIFF leader, members surrender in Maguindanao

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (Aug 14, 2021) - A leader of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and 10 of his cohorts yielded to the military in Barangay Kuloy, Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao on Friday morning, August 13, 2021.

Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr., Commander of the Western Mindanao Command said combined elements of the 33rd Infantry Battalion and the intelligence operatives facilitated the surrender of a BIFF leader identified as a.k.a. Molawin and 10 of his cohorts known in the following aliases: Rahib, Nasrullah, Salahuddin, Esmail, Rahim, Haron, Tapa, One Eye, Naser, and Kasim.

“A.k.a. Molawin and his followers belong to the BIFF Karialan Faction,” Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr. further stated.

According to Col. Pedro Balisi, Jr., Commander of the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade, the successful surrender of the BIFF personalities was made possible through the support of the barangay chairpersons of Kuloy and Tapikan, both of Shariff Aguak town.

Surrendered personalities handed over two cal. 30 Barret, one cal. 30 M1 Garand converted to M14 rifle, one cal. 30 M1 Garand, one cal. 5.56mm M16 rifle, one cal. 45 pistol, one cal. 45mm Thongram Submachine Gun, one 60mm Mortar, two improvised explosive devices, four rounds cartridge of 7.62mm ball, and two round cartridge of 60mm high explosives to the military.

Said BIFF personalities revealed that the strength of the military is inevitable and their dwindling manpower is not enough to win a battle. Fearing for their lives, they decided to come out.

Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, Commander of Joint Task Force Central said, “The influx of surrenders exemplifies that we are winning not only the people’s trust but that of the enemies as well”.

JTF Central has reported a total of 87 surrenders for this year alone. It can be recalled that last August 7, 13 members of the same group also surrendered to the military in President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat.

“The spate of surrenders in central Mindanao signifies a breakthrough in our peace efforts to end terrorism in the area. We are hopeful that soon enough we will be able to totally dismantle the BIFF and all other threat groups,” said Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr.

The surrendered personalities were brought to 33IB headquarters in Barangay Zapakan, Rajah Buayan, the same province for custodial debriefing and proper disposition. (By JONG D. CADION with reports and photos from WestMinCom-PIO)

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