14 BIFF members surrender in Maguindanao

Posted to the Manila Times (Apr 29, 2023): 14 BIFF members surrender in Maguindanao (By Franz R. Sumangil)

FOURTEEN members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) operating in Rajah Buayan town, Maguindanao del Sur surrendered to military authorities, an Army official said Thursday.

Brig. Gen. Oriel Pangcog, commander of the Army's 601st Infantry Brigade, said he accepted the surrender of the BIFF batch at the brigade headquarters in Ampatuan town on Wednesday afternoon.

Rajah Buayan Mayor Bai Maruja Mastura, together with other local officials, presented the former rebels to Pangcog at the brigade headquarters in Kamasi village, Ampatuan.

"They made the right decision in laying down their guns and abandoning their armed struggle. We welcome them to the fold of the law," Pangcog said of the surrenderers.

The BIFF members also yielded assorted firearms, including a homemade sniper rifle, and explosives.

"We are tired, we fear for our lives, so we decided to come out and be with our loved ones," BIFF sub-commander Miranda, one of the surrenderers, said.

As initial assistance, the former rebels received rice and financial assistance from the provincial government.

They will also be enrolled soon in the provincial government's peace and rehabilitation program.

Since January, at least 80 BIFF members have surrendered to various field units of the Army's 6th Infantry Division in Camp Siongco, Maguindanao del Norte this year.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/04/29/news/regions/14-biff-members-surrender-in-maguindanao/1889138