Key Philippine Military and Insurgency-Related Events: WESTMINCOM: 16 former violent extremists presented to Maguindanao del Sur LGUs

Friday, May 12, 2023

WESTMINCOM: 16 former violent extremists presented to Maguindanao del Sur LGUs

Posted to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Facebook Page (May 13, 2023): 16 former violent extremists presented to Maguindanao del Sur LGUs

Camp Navarro, Calarian, Zamboanga City – May 13, 2023

Sixteen former members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters-Karialan Faction were presented by the military to the local government units of Maguindanao del Sur on May 11, 2023.

Joint Task Force Central Commander, Maj. Gen. Alex Rillera said the former violent extremists (FVEs) laid down their arms and submitted themselves to the 6th Infantry Battalion. The surrendered personalities handed over one M653 rifle (converted R4/Bushmaster), one 60mm Mortar, two cal .30 Garand rifles, three cal .30 Sniper rifles, two M79 rifles, one Rocket-Propelled Grenade, two cal 7.62 Sniper rifles, one M14 rifle, and one Rocket-Propelled Grenade 40mm High Explosive ammunition.

The FVEs and surrendered were presented to the local government units of Mamasapano under Mayor Akmad Ampatuan, Jr.; Datu Salibo, represented by Atty Sittie Farhanie Uy, BTA member and Samsudin Sandigan, Executive Assistant; and Shariff Saydona Mustapha represented by Mr. Omar Sisay.

Also present during the activity were the representatives from the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, the 601st Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army, the Maguindanao Provincial Police Office, and the PNP and AFP intelligence units.

Surrendered firearms and ammunition were deposited at the H6IB Supply Room for safekeeping.
“Together with the local governments and other law enforcement agencies, we will sustain our campaign to end lawless violence, which will pave the way for the realization of internal security and development here in Mindanao. While employing the whole-of-nation approach, we will not stop our focused military operations to pound down the remaining threats and contain radicalism in our joint area of operations,” Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, Commander of Western Mindanao Command, said.