11 disgruntled BIFF extremists yield in Maguindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 21, 2022): 11 disgruntled BIFF extremists yield in Maguindanao (By Edwin Fernandez)

DISGRUNTLED EXTREMISTS. One of the 11 Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) hands over his rifle to military authorities following their surrender Wednesday (July 20, 2022) in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao. The BIFF men said they felt disgruntled in fighting a lost cause. (Photo courtesy of Radio DXMS - Cotabato)

COTABATO CITY – Saying they get nothing but hardship fighting a lost cause, 11 members of extremist Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) have surrendered to authorities in Maguindanao, the military here said Thursday.

In a statement, Maj. Gen. Roberto Capulong, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander, said the radicals, who belonged to the BIFF-Bungos faction, also turned in assault rifles and homemade .50-caliber Barret sniper rifles following their surrender on Wednesday afternoon.

“They made the best decision and I also want them to convince their former comrades to avail of the peace offer of the government,” Capulong, also head of Joint Task Force Central (JTFC), said.

One of the surrenderers who introduced himself as “Samil” aired through a phone patch Thursday a message to his colleagues.

“Come out and follow our decision, hopefully, you will surrender too, we get nothing there, we are not paid, only hardships in fighting a lost cause,” Samil said in the vernacular.

“Here, we can live with our families peacefully, the future of our children is assured,” he added.

Samil’s group surrendered to the Army’s First Combat Battalion in Barangay Pigcalagan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao before their presentation to Capulong.

The village of Pigcalagan borders the town of Pigcawayan in North Cotabato province, prompting municipal Mayor Juanito Agustin to extend aid to some of the BIFF surrenderers who hail from his area.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1179457