CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – Joint Task Force Central Commander Maj Gen. Diosdado C Carreon presented the 14 members of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), who recently returned to the fold of the law to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) through the Ministry of Interior and Local Government Minister Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo in a press conference yesterday afternoon, September 12, 2019 at Officer’s Clubhouse.
During this activity, Minister Sinarimbo assured that this batch of former rebels will receive livelihood package and assistance from BARMM government even if they were not covered by the regular reconciliation program package like the E-CLIP (Enhance Comprehensive Local Integration Program) and peace agreement with MNLF and MILF.
“We will provide them with initial aid to make sure that the effort of the government will prosper in convincing other rebels to surrender,” Minister Sinarimbo said. He further explained that there is an existing program of BARMM covering the education and peace aspect to be allocated to the former BIFF rebels pending the regional program to be presented in the regional council meeting, which is hopefully to be implemented next year. The former rebels were given cash assistance amounting to P20, 000, personal necessities, and grocery items as initial aid courtesy of BARMM.
33 rd IB Commander Lt. Col. Elmer M. Boongaling facilitated the surfacing of the 14 BIFF members led by Commander Alimudin U. Malang last September 4, 2019. This group of BIFF members brought with them 3 Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) launchers, 2 M16 rifle, one cal. 45 pistol, one M14 rifle, one 9mm uzi sub machine gun, and one cal. 50 barrett sniper rifle.
Accordingly, Commander Alimudin U. Malang, who joined the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in 1972, later became a member of the outlawed BIFF. Alimudin and 13 of his followers came from Rajah Buayan and Sultan Sa Barongis in Maguindanao.
Lt. Col. Boongaling said that this group of BIFF members saw the sincerity of the military in the government. With the help of the local leaders in their barangays this made them decide to finally return to the folds of law.
Meanwhile, Maj Gen. Carreon said that the decommissioning process of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has served as a motivator for the BIFF rebels to rethink their position in the group.
“We are looking at the possibility that other BIFF members will eventually go back to the MILF, with the assistance and verification of the AFP, so they will receive the same package in the decommissioning process,” Maj Gen. Carreon added. “A few months back, the group of BIFF led by Samad Simba has returned to 118 th Base Command when they heard of the decommissioning package that will be given to the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forced (BIAF) accompanied by certain benefits,” the Commander said.
Joint Task Force Central Commander, also urged members of private armed groups (PAGs) to surrender their loose firearms that will complement the decommissioning of the MILF.
Division Public Affairs Office 6th Infantry Division Philippine Army
Maj Arvin G Encinas
Chief, Public Affairs Office, 6ID, PA
Camp Siongco, Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao
+6391775226469
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