16 BIFF members surrender in Maguindanao del Sur

From the Manila Standard (Sep 29, 2024): 16 BIFF members surrender in Maguindanao del Sur (By By Rex Espiritu)

A total of 16 members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters-Karialan Faction (BIFF-KF) laid down their arms on September 26, 2024, as reported by AFP’s Western Mindanao Command.

The former violent extremists submitted themselves to Lt. Col. Udgie Villan, Commanding Officer of the 33IB, at the unit’s headquarters in Barangay Zapakan, Radjah Buayan, Maguindanao del Sur.

Among those who surrendered was alias Oding, head of the Morsedin Division of the BIFF group under Umbra Kato, and who also served as an adviser to the BIFF.

After the BIFF split into two factions following Umbra Kato’s death, alias Oding chose to join the Karialan Faction, where he was nominated as Brigade Commander of the 2nd Division under Zulkarnain Sapal, also known as Zuk.

The former violent extremists handed over their firearms, which included two 60mm mortars, two 40mm rocket-propelled grenades, two 40mm M203 grenade launchers, one .30 caliber sniper rifle, two .30 caliber Garand rifles, one M16A1 rifle, four 9mm Uzi submachine guns, and one .30 caliber carbine rifle. They also surrendered two improvised explosive devices and five rounds of 40mm RPG high explosives.

WestMinCom Public Information Office Chief Major Orlando Ayllon said that this development is a result of continuous military operations conducted by the Joint Task Force Central, along with strengthened collaboration with local government units.

The surrendered individuals are now under the custody of the 33IB for custodial debriefing and profiling, while the surrendered war materiel has been turned over to the logistics section of that unit for proper disposition.

Lt. Gen. William Gonzales, Commander of the Western Mindanao Command, commended the troops of Joint Task Force Central for their steadfast resolve to end terrorism and clear Central Mindanao of remnants from various threat groups.

“Rest assured that we will continue to work doubly to clear every community from traces of terrorism,” he said.

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