Kalinaw News: Enlightened sub-leader, members withdraw support to BIFF in Maguindanao

Posted to Kalinaw News (Mar 30, 2022): Enlightened sub-leader, members withdraw support to BIFF in Maguindanao



Camp Navarro, Calarian, Zamboanga City – March 30, 2022

Twelve members, including a sub-leader and a deputy, of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) decided to abandon their armed struggle and return to the fold of the law in Maguindanao on Wednesday morning, March 30, 2022.

“Based on the report from the ground, Anwar Pegas, a sub-leader of the BIFF-Karialan Faction; Zukarno Sailila, his deputy; and 10 of their followers voluntarily surrendered to Lt. Col. Edwin Alburo, Commanding Officer of the 40th Infantry Battalion at 8:00 a.m. today,” said Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario, Jr., Commander of Western Mindanao Command.

The former violent extremists handed over their firearms to Lt. Col. Alburo at the 40IB headquarters in Barangay Kabengi, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao. Surrendered firearms include two 7.62mm M14 rifles, two 5.56mm M16A1, one Carbine , two cal. 50 Barret Sniper rifles, two 9mm submachine guns, one 40mm Rocket Propelled Grenade Launcher, two M79 Grenade Launchers, and one 40mm high explosive RPG ammunition.

Col. Oriel Pangcog, Commander of 601st Infantry Brigade, said the surrender is a result of the joint efforts of the 601Bde, 40IB, Maguindanao Provincial Police Office, Ampatuan Municipal Police Station, and the local government of Ampatuan, Maguindanao.

During the initial debriefing, the ex-BIFF members revealed that they were experiencing hardships and starvation while evading the operations conducted by the armed forces. They also realized that they were lured with false ideologies that affected themselves and their fellow Filipinos hence their withdrawal of support to the group.

According to Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, Commander of Joint Task Force Central, the influx of surrenders manifests the continuous dwindling of the terrorist groups in Central Mindanao. “We are optimistic that these groups, including the BIFF-Karialan Faction, are nearing its end,” the JTF commander said.

For the first quarter of 2022, JTF Central has reported 97 BIFF surrenders in their area of operation. This also yielded the recovery of 90 high-powered and low-powered firearms.

“We continue to gain grounds and this is attributable to the concerted efforts of the military troops, our partners, and stakeholders. I, personally, would like to urge those who are still hiding to cross the line. We are more than willing to welcome and assist you in your reintegration into mainstream society,” Lt. Gen. Rosario further stated.

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https://www.kalinawnews.com/enlightened-sub-leader-members-withdraw-support-to-biff-in-maguindanao/