5 more BIFF members in NoCot reject extremism

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 22, 2022): 5 more BIFF members in NoCot reject extremism (By Edwin Fernandez)

WEARY REBELS. Five former members of the extremist Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters pose with military and local officials after they surrendered in Carmen, North Cotabato Thursday (July 21, 2022). This year alone, some 138 Moro extremists have surrendered to authorities in Central Mindanao (Photo courtesy of 6ID)

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – Saying they are tired and disappointed, five more members of the extremist Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) operating in North Cotabato province have surrendered to authorities, the military here said Friday.

Maj. Gen. Roberto Capulong, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander, said the BIFF surrenderers renounced Thursday their affiliation with the outlawed BIFF-Karialan faction and pledged allegiance to the government.

Capulong, also head of the Army-led Joint Task Force Central (JTFC), said the surrenderers turned in two Garand rifles, two M14 sniper rifles, and one 60mm mortar ammunition during the surrender rite at the headquarters of 602nd Infantry Brigade in Carmen, North Cotabato.

“These people just want to live normal lives again,” he said.

One of the five who identified himself as “Rodin” said his group is tired of fighting and running away from air and ground attacks of government forces.

“We expect this to materialize, for us to live peacefully with our loved ones,” he said in the vernacular.

Capulong said the surrenderers will get a livelihood package from the government.

On Thursday, 11 other disgruntled BIFF members yielded to the military in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.

Since January this year, a total of 138 BIFF and nine members of the Dawlah Islamiya Abu Torayfe Group have surrendered to the different units under the 6ID and JTFC in Central Mindanao.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1179510