16 ‘weary’ BIFF rebels yield to Army in Maguindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 18, 2022): 16 ‘weary’ BIFF rebels yield to Army in Maguindanao (By Edwin Fernandez)

WEARY COMBATANTS. The 16 former Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters rebels pose with military and local officials following their formal presentation in Datu Unsay, Maguindanao on Monday (Jan. 17, 2022). The surrenderers said they returned to the folds of the law to start a new life due to the relentless military campaign against them in the province. (Photo courtesy of 6ID)

Tired of evading government forces relentlessly pursuing them, 16 members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) have decided to lay down their arms and surrender to military troops in Maguindanao.

Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (ID) commander, said Tuesday the Moro extremists yielded to the Army in Barangay Meta, Datu Unsay so they can avail themselves of government amnesty programs.

Lt. Col. Nathaniel A. Balintong, the Army’s 92nd Infantry Battalion commander, said seven former BIFF rebels under the Karialan faction and nine (9) under the Bungos faction surrendered to government forces through the joint efforts of the military and the police units in Maguindanao.

Balintong said the16 BIFF members were formally presented Monday to Brig. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio, commander of 1st Brigade Combat Team at the 92nd IB headquarters, Hill 150, Datu Unsay, Maguindanao following their surrender over the weekend.

Local officials witnessed the surrender rites, he said.

The group turned over seven M1 Garand rifles, a 5.56mm sniper rifle, a 7.62mm sniper rifle, an M14 rifle, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, a converted 7.62mm rifle, two .50-caliber Barrett rifles, and two improvised explosive devices.

Uy, also the commander of Joint Task Force (JTF) Central, lauded the synergy of military, police, and local government units involved in the successful surrender activity.

“The surge of surrender only indicates that the security landscape in the area is changing as more BIFF members are returning to the folds of the law,” Uy said.

“Rest assured that the JTF Central will continue to strengthen our civil-military relationships and intensify the conduct of offensive operations against the remaining members of the BIFF to ensure the safety and security of the people of Central Mindanao,” he added.

The 16 former rebels are set to receive livelihood assistance from the provincial government of Maguindanao so they can start a new life.

On January 15, 14 BIFF members also yielded to authorities in Sultan Kudarat province.

In 2021, more than 300 BIFF returned to the folds of the law.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1165729