3 BIFF members abandon ‘cause,’ vow to help gov’t

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 18, 2022): 3 BIFF members abandon ‘cause,’ vow to help gov’t (By Edwin Fernandez)

RIGHT MOVE. Three members of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters surrender in Maguindanao on Thursday (Nov. 17, 2022), as the Army’s 6th Infantry Division intensifies its manhunt against lawless elements in its area of responsibility. The surrenderers say they want to live normal lives again with their families. (Photo courtesy of 6ID)

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao Norte – Three members of the extremist Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) yielded with their guns to the military, an Army official said Friday.

Lt. Col. Benjamin Cadiente Jr., Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion commander, said the three belonged to the BIFF - Kagui Karialan faction who peacefully surrendered in Barangay Zapakan, Rajah Buayan town, Thursday.

“They feared for their lives because of our relentless campaign against them. That is one of the reasons they decided to yield,” he said.

The trio turned in two Carbine rifles and a Garand rifle to Cadiente.

Alias Tiu, one of the surrenderers, said they were extremely exhausted from always being on the run from pursuing military forces.

“Our fight is going nowhere, we want to live normal lives with our families,” he was quoted by the military as saying in the vernacular.

Tiu vowed to help the government "convince our colleagues in the mountains to give up and avail of the government programs for surrendering rebels.”

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Roy Galido, Army’s 6th Infantry Division (ID) commander, lauded the 33rd IB troopers and local officials for working together for the surrender of BIFF members.

“The government is ready to welcome those who wanted to reform, the government will provide them the opportunity to live normal lives,” he said.

Since January this year, a total of 178 BIFF have surrendered to the 6ID in Central Mindanao.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1188879