4 BIFF men yield in North Cotabato

From the Manila Times (Nov 25, 2021): 4 BIFF men yield in North Cotabato (By Franz R. Sumangil)

MIDSAYAP, North Cotabato: Four self-confessed bomb couriers of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) surrendered to authorities here last Monday.

The BIFF members were identified as Sanny Boy Satol Mamalumpong, Ato Menis Sandato, Satol Gamblay Butuan and Darang Katog. They pledged allegiance to the government in a ceremony held in the presence of Col. Jovencio Gonzales of the Army's 602nd Infantry Brigade, officials of the 34th Infantry Battalion and Midsayap Mayor Romeo Araña.

The former insurgents also turned over to the military three bolt-action sniper rifles and an M14 assault rifle.

Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, commander of the Army's 6th Infantry Division (ID), said on Tuesday that Mamalumpong, Sandato, Butuan and Katog belonged to a BIFF faction led by Kagui Karialan.

Karialan is wanted for more than 30 criminal cases in different courts, including multiple murder for his alleged role in the deadly bombings in Central Mindanao.

The four followers of Karialan confessed to their role in the bombings either as look outs or bomb couriers.

According to Uy, the four men shall be reintroduced to mainstream society.

More than 300 BIFF members have surrendered in batches to the 6th ID since 2017, with more than a hundred turning themselves voluntarily in groups in the past 13 months.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/11/25/news/regions/4-biff-men-yield-in-north-cotabato/1823507