SURRENDER. Lt. Colonel Elmer Boongaling (right), Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion commander, views the surrendered firearms and talks with several of the 29 surrenderers from the Daesh-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in Rajah Buayan, Maguindanao on Tuesday (March 31, 2020). The former radicals opted to surrender to the government to live normal lives once more with their families. (Photo courtesy of 33IB)
CAMPO SIONGCO, Maguindanao – Twenty-nine Islamic State-inspired members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) surrendered in this province on Tuesday.
The surrenderers, who are former followers of wanted BIFF leader Imam Karialan, surrendered and have pledged allegiance to the Philippine flag during simple ceremonies held in Rajah Buayan, Maguindanao where the headquarters of 33rd Infantry Battalion (IB) is located.
“The 29 BIFF combatants decided to surrender with the help of Raja Buayan local officials,” Lt. Colonel Elmer Boongaling, the 33IB commander, said.
Boongaling said Karialan and his remaining band of followers are continuously being hunted by government troopers in the marshlands of Maguindanao.
Karialan, a radical leader of one of the three factions of the BIFF operating in the borders of Maguindanao and North Cotabato provinces, lost 15 of his followers during military air and ground assaults in the bordering towns of Ampatuan, Shariff Aguak and Datu Hoffer last month.
“Four soldiers were also killed and nine others were injured during that series of law enforcement operations,” Boongaling said.
Maj. Gen. Diosdado Carreon, Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander, has lauded both the leadership of 33IB and the local officials of Rajah Buayan for their joint effort to sustain the government’s peace initiatives in the southern Philippines, especially in Maguindanao.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1098509
The surrenderers, who are former followers of wanted BIFF leader Imam Karialan, surrendered and have pledged allegiance to the Philippine flag during simple ceremonies held in Rajah Buayan, Maguindanao where the headquarters of 33rd Infantry Battalion (IB) is located.
“The 29 BIFF combatants decided to surrender with the help of Raja Buayan local officials,” Lt. Colonel Elmer Boongaling, the 33IB commander, said.
Boongaling said Karialan and his remaining band of followers are continuously being hunted by government troopers in the marshlands of Maguindanao.
Karialan, a radical leader of one of the three factions of the BIFF operating in the borders of Maguindanao and North Cotabato provinces, lost 15 of his followers during military air and ground assaults in the bordering towns of Ampatuan, Shariff Aguak and Datu Hoffer last month.
“Four soldiers were also killed and nine others were injured during that series of law enforcement operations,” Boongaling said.
Maj. Gen. Diosdado Carreon, Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander, has lauded both the leadership of 33IB and the local officials of Rajah Buayan for their joint effort to sustain the government’s peace initiatives in the southern Philippines, especially in Maguindanao.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1098509
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