6 BIFF rebels surrender

From the Manila Times (Feb 14, 2019): 6 BIFF rebels surrender

CAMP SIONGCO, Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao: Six fully armed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) abandoned their comrades in the Liguasan Marsh on Thursday and surrendered to the Army in Maguindanao.

Capt. Arvin Encinas, spokesman for the 6th Infantry Division (ID) said the surrenderers are members of a BIFF faction under Gani Saligan (who is still hiding), a notorious rebel in southwestern Liguasan Marsh.

Encinas added that this group of BIFF rebels decided to surrender upon learning of the Army’s community projects that would benefit them and their families.

The six rebels brought with them six high-powered firearms, including two rocket-propelled grenade launchers, two cal .50 sniper rifles, one M14 rifle and one cal .30 bolt action sniper rifle.

One of the surrenderers was Dido Malawan, 46, the deputy brigade commander of the BIFF’s 2nd Division.

“There are no more reasons for us to fight the government. The soldiers have solved our problems such as the rido (clan feud), and helped our village see the light through the electrification project,” Malawan said. development projects facilitated by the AFP

The 33rd Infantry Battalion and the 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion have led implementation of a P2-million electrification project in Midpandacan village, GSKP town, Maguindanao,in collaboration with the Sultan Kudarat Electric Cooperative.

The Army had also refurbished a school that was abandoned for three years because of perennial fighting among rival clans.

All six surrenderers will receive immediate cash assistance of P20,000 from Maguindanao Rep. Zaid “Dong” Mangudadatu as well as livelihood package from Gov. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu.

The surrender negotiation was a collaboration among the local government of General SK Pendatun, Maguindanao Provincial Police Office, Sultan Kudarat Provincial Police Office, 4th Special Action Battalion and the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade.

This year, the 6th ID facilitated the surrender of 18 BIFF rebels in three batches.

The second batch of returnees led by Sindatok Delna, who surrendered in May 2018, will receive their livelihood benefits from the Maguindanao provincial government three months later.

“The surrender of our brothers from the BIFF is a welcome development in our ongoing effort in supporting the peace and development agenda of the government. We would like to transform Liguasan Marsh from a battlefield to an oilfield that would bring economic prosperity for the Moro people and Mindanao as a whole,” Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the 6th ID, said.

https://www.manilatimes.net/6-biff-rebels-surrender/511161/