From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 27, 2023): 14 BIFF militants yield in Maguindanao Sur (By Edwin Fernandez)
MORE SURRENDERERS. The latest batch of 14 Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) who surrendered to the military in Maguindanao del Sur province on Wednesday (April 26, 2023). At least 80 BIFF members have yielded to the military in Central Mindanao this year alone. (Photo courtesy of 6ID)
CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao Norte – Fourteen members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) operating in Rajah Buayan town, Maguindanao del Sur, have surrendered to military authorities, an Army official here said Thursday.
Brig. Gen. Oriel Pangcog, the Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade commander, said he accepted the surrender of the BIFF batch at the brigade headquarters in Ampatuan town on Wednesday afternoon.
Rajah Buayan Mayor Bai Maruja Mastura, together with other local officials, presented the surrenderers to Pangcog at the brigade headquarters in Barangay Kamasi, Ampatuan.
“They made the right decision in laying down their guns and abandoning their armed struggle. We welcome them to the fold of the law,” Pangcog said in a statement, referring to the surrenderers.
The surrenderers yielded assorted firearms, including a homemade sniper rifle, and explosives.
“We are tired, we fear for our lives, so we decided to come out and be with our loved ones,” BIFF sub-commander Miranda, one of the surrenderers, said in a separate statement.
As initial assistance, the former rebels received rice and financial assistance from the provincial government.
They will also be enrolled soon in the provincial government’s peace and rehabilitation program.
Since January, at least 80 BIFF members have surrendered to various field units of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division here.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1200258
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