Kalinaw News: Tired and Weary, BIFF member surrenders in Cotabato

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jan 6, 2022): Tired and Weary, BIFF member surrenders in Cotabato



Camp Navarro, Calarian, Zamboanga City – January 6, 2022

A member of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters laid down his arm and returned to the folds of the law in Cotabato on the 5th of January, 2022. According to WestMinCom Commander, Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario, Jr., the surrendered personality was identified as alias Seck Panday, a member of the BIFF-Karialan Faction.

“He submitted himself and handed over his M16A1 rifle to Col. Jovencio Gonzales, Commander of the 602nd Infantry Brigade and Lt. Col. Edgardo Vilchez, Jr., Commanding Officer of the 34th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Salunayan, Midsayap, Cotabato,” Lt. Gen. Rosario, Jr. added.

According to Col. Gonzales, Panday was subsequently presented to Midsayap Mayor Romeo Arana. “He will be included in the list of beneficiaries of livelihood packages to help him start anew so that he will not be lured to join the group again,” the brigade commander further stated.

The surrender was made possible through the joint efforts of the 34IB, PNP Midsayap, and the intelligence units. The 34IB is currently facilitating the custodial debriefing to the surrendered personality. Based on the report, the former violent extremist grew tired of hiding and running for his life as the military intensifies its operations in the area, hence his surrender.

Joint Task Force Central Commander, Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy lauded the 602nd Infantry Brigade and its subordinate units for the numerous accomplishments particularly in convincing several BIFF personalities to end their armed struggle. In 2021, JTF Central reported a total of 189 BIFF surrenders in Central Mindanao.

“This is a good start for the new year. Rest assured that the Western Mindanao Command will continue to accomplish its mandates until we achieve sustained peace and development in Western Mindanao.” Lt. Gen. Rosario, Jr. emphasized.

[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]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/tired-and-weary-biff-member-surrenders-in-cotabato/