Posted to Kalinaw News (Mar 17, 2021): Five BIFF members surrender in Maguindanao
CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – A new batch of five (5) members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) – Karialan Faction voluntarily surrendered with their firearms to the troops of 1st Mechanized Brigade in Ampatuan, Maguindanao on March 16, 2021.These former extremists were presented to Col. Pedro Balisi Jr., Commander of 1st Mechanized Brigade, and Hon. Bai Yasmin Mangudadatu, Municipal Vice-Mayor of Ampatuan, Maguindanao through a simple ceremony at Headquarters 1st Mechanized Brigade in Brgy Kamasi of the said town.
The surrenderers brought with them six (6) high-powered firearms comprised of one (1) M16A1, one (1) Cal.30 Garand, one (1) M79 GL, one (1) 7.62mm Sniper Rifle, and two (2) Cal.50 Barret Rifle.
“We are experiencing hardship in the hinterlands of Maguindanao, we do not have peace of mind and we’re always running and hiding” one of the returnees testified.
Col. Pedro Balisi Jr. expressed his gratitude to the Local Government Units of the Municipality of Ampatuan and that of the Province of Maguindanao for their continuous support to the 1st Mechanized Brigade in attaining peace and order in the locality.
“Government forces will always welcome members of the extremist group who decides to come back to the folds of the law, yet we will be relentless to those who plan to sow terror and atrocities in the community”, Col. Balisi added.
Maj. Gen. Juvymax R. Uy, Commander of Joint Task Force Central and 6th Infantry Division said that the influx of surrender is attributed to the collaborative efforts of the military, local government units, the traditional leaders, and the peace-loving people of Maguindanao.
“Our troops conduct series of intensified stakeholders engagement to encourage the remaining extremists to surrender and cooperate with the government, thus we welcome these former BIFF members as they come back to the mainstream society; our concerted efforts with the Local Government Unit of Maguindanao will pave way for the attainment of the lasting genuine peace in this part of Mindanao” Maj. Gen. Uy further said.
[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]
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