JTF Central Commander Led the Presentation of 80 Former Violent Extremists and Former Rebels at 6ID Headquarters

From the Journal Online (Mar 20, 2022): JTF Central Commander Led the Presentation of 80 Former Violent Extremists and Former Rebels at 6ID Headquarters

A total of 80 surrenderers composed of thirty-nine (39) Former Violent Extremists (FVEs) and forty-one (41) Former Rebels (FRs) were presented by Major General Juvymax Uy, Commander of the Joint Task Force Central and the 6th Infantry Division during a Press Conference held at Camp Siongco, Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao on March 18, 2022.

The thirty-nine (39) FVEs are composed of twenty-one (21) FVEs from the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters – Bungos Faction, twelve (12) from the BIFF – Karialan Faction, and six (6) from the Daulah-Islamiya Turaife Group which all surrendered to 6th Infantry Battalion at Barangay Buayan, Datu Piang, Maguindanao. They were received and welcomed by Mr. Roger Dionisio, the AGILA-HAVEN Focal Person of the Province of Maguindanao during the presentation at 6ID Headquarters.



While the forty-one (41) FRs are composite NPA regulars and members of the underground mass organization (UGMO) of the Sub-Regional Committee Daguma, Far South Region Committee operating in Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat Province which surrendered to 37th Infantry Battalion at Barangay Tibpuan, Lebak, Sultan Kudarat. They were likewise received and welcomed by Rep. Datu Yahiya Sinenggayan, the PTF ELCAC Focal Person of the Province of Sultan Kudarat at 6ID Headquarters during the presentation.

The FVEs and FRs also surrendered 65 various firearms and war materials which includes two (2) 60mm mortars with base plate, nine (9) M16A1 rifles, one (1) M203 Grenade Launcher, six (6) M14 rifles, three (3) M79 grenade launchers, two (2) M653 rifles, three (3) Cal.30 Spring Field rifles, two (2) Cal.50 sniper rifles, eleven (11) 7.62mm sniper rifles, one (1) R4 rifle, one (1) Garand rifle, two (2) RPGs, one (1) M1 Carbine rifle, seven (7) 12-gauge shotgun, one (1) 5.56mm pistols, one (1) 12-gauge pistol, one (1) 20-gauge pistol, four (4) 9mm sub-machinegun, one (1) Cal.38 revolver, and one (1) Cal.357 revolver. Also surrendered are four (4) RPG ammunition, one (1) 105mm Projectile, one (1) Rocket warhead, and two (2) IEDs.



The 80 surrenderers were given initial cash and food assistance coming from the Local Government Units of the Province of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat intended as preliminary incentives to help the FVEs and FRs start a new and peaceful life with their families.

The event was also attended by the Commanders of 601st, 602nd, 603rd, 1st Mechanized Brigades; Mr. Roger Dionisio, AGILA-HAVEN Focal Person of Maguindanao; Rep. Datu Yahiya Sinenggayan, PTF ELCAC Focal Person of Sultan Kudarat; Atty. Josefina Torreña, Maguindanao Legal Adviser; Ms. Elenita Saavedra, RSW PSWDO of Sultan Kudarat; and the Battalion Commanders under JTF Central.

Mr. Roger Dionisio, representing Governor Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu of Maguindanao said, “Panahon na tayo ay magkaisa at ito ay ipinapaintindi ng ating AGILA-HAVEN sa lahat. Hikayatin ninyo ang inyong mga kasama at kumbinsihin sila na makipag-usap sa ating gobyerno. Hindi pa huli ang lahat, nasa inyo rin ang paraan at solusyon kung paano natin ialis ang ating sarili sa kahirapan. Ang gobyerno po ay nandyan para tumulong.”

At the same time, Rep. Datu Yahiya Sinenggayan, said during the press conference, “Kami sa Probinsya ng Sultan Kudarat ay nagagalak sa inyong pagbalik-loob sa gobyerno. Kayo ay aming tutulangan sa inyong pagbabagong buhay.”



Major General Juvymax Uy congratulated the former violent extremists who decided to surrender and return to the mainstream society to live normal and decent lives. “I congratulate you dahil naintindihan ninyo na ang gobyerno ay hindi nagpapabaya sa inyo. Magandang kinabukasan ang naghihintay sa inyong lahat”, Maj. Gen. Uy said.

It can be recalled that on February 16, 2022, a total of 140 Former Violent Extremists from the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and Daulah Islamiya who surrendered to the government also received livelihood and farm assistance from the Maguindanao Province peace initiative program known as Anak Na May Ginintuang Layunin, Upang Hintuan Ang Violent Extremism Ngayon (AGILA-HAVEN) at the 6th Infantry Division Grounds, Camp Siongco, Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.



The grant was composed of seven (7) Rotavators, fifteen (15) Hand Tractors or “Kuliglig”, seven (7) “Payong-payong”, grocery items and livelihood support to help these former violent extremists start their new and peaceful lives with their families.

The recent surrenderers are now undergoing custodial debriefing and processing prior to being enrolled with the AGILA-HAVEN Program for the FVEs and the Enhanced – Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) for the FRs.

https://journal.com.ph/jtf-central-commander-led-the-presentation-of-80-former-violent-extremists-and-former-rebels-at-6id-headquarters/