2 BIFF gunmen yield, turn over sniper rifle

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 23, 2020): 2 BIFF gunmen yield, turn over sniper rifle (By Edwin Fernandez)  

BIFF SURRENDERERS. Brig. Gen. Samuel Rodriguez Jr. (foreground), BARMM police director, presents to reporters the two BIFF surrenderers during a simple ceremony held at the PRO-BARMM headquarters in Camp S.K. Pendatun, Parang, Maguindanao on Tuesday (Dec. 22, 2020). The two belonged to the BIFF-Karialan faction operating in the Liguasan marshlands of the province. (Photo courtesy of PRO-BARMM)

Two members of the Islamic State-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) operating in Maguindanao surrendered to the police and local government of Datu Montawal town on Tuesday afternoon.

Brig. Gen. Samuel Rodriguez, director of the Police Regional Office - Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PRO-BARMM), said the two belonged to the BIFF-Karialan faction.

Capt. Razul Pandulo, chief of the Datu Montawal town police, said the two coordinated with the police for their desire to surrender a week earlier.

"The two had turned over a homemade .50-caliber Barret sniper rifle to Datu Montawal Mayor Ohto Montawal during surrender ceremonies,” Pandulo said.

In appreciation of the decision of two BIFF surrenderers, Vice Mayor Vicman Montawal handed over a sack of rice and cash assistance to each of the former BIFF combatants.

“Life is hard, we always run from government forces, so we decided to surrender so we can be with our families this new year,” Abdul, one of the surrenderers, said in the vernacular.

The mayor appealed to other BIFF members still in the Maguindanao marshland to avail of the government’s offer of livelihood if they surrender.

“I am calling (on) the other members and leaders of (the) BIFF to lay down their arms and return to the fold of (the) law to achieve lasting peace in Maguindanao,” he said.

Rodriguez aired the same appeal.

“Rest assured that they will be supported by the government to start a new life,” he said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1125497