20 ex-BIFF rebels get aid from BARMM

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 2, 2024): 20 ex-BIFF rebels get aid from BARMM (By Edwin Fernandez)

FINANCIAL AID. Sittie Janine Gamao (right), peace education division chief of the Ministry of Public Order and Safety (MPOS-BARMM), and Lt. Colonel Michael Glenn Manansala, the Army's 6th Infantry Battalion commander, hand over on Monday (April 1, 2024) the financial aid to one of the 20 former extremists who earlier surrendered to the military. The MPOS will also train the former insurgents to become peace advocates in their communities. (Photo courtesy of MPOS -BARMM)

COTABATO CITY – The Ministry of Public Order and Safety in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MPOS-BARMM) has extended financial assistance to 20 former members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in support of the government's peace and reconciliation advocacy, an official said Tuesday.

Sittie Janine Gamao, MPOS peace education division chief, said each of the former members received PHP5,000 cash during ceremonies held Monday at the headquarters of the Army's 6th Infantry Battalion in Datu Piang, Maguindanao del Sur.

"Your voluntary surrender is something positive not only for you but your family and community as well," Gamao was quoted as saying in a statement Tuesday, referring to the surrenderers.

Gamao said the assistance forms part of the MPOS' program to help former local insurgents (FLIs), who will be enrolled in more aid programs to make them partners in sustaining peace in their communities.

The batch was among the BIFF members who surrendered to the Army in Datu Piang over the weekend.

Brig. Gen. Oriel Pangcog, commander of the 601st Infantry Brigade, described the surrenderers as "victims of wrong ideology."

The former extremists earlier turned in 14 various firearms and weapons, which included two homemade .50-caliber sniper rifles, four .30-caliber sniper rifles, two M14 rifles, two M16 rifles, one 81mm mortar tube, and one .45-caliber pistol.

Maguindanao del Sur Vice Gov. Nathaniel Midtimbang led the distribution of food and non-food assistance to the surrenderers, including sacks of rice and food packs from various provincial government agencies.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1221842