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'Tired' BIFF member surrenders in Maguindanao

By Edwin Fernandez

January 25, 2020, 12:25 pm

<p><strong>REBEL NO MORE.</strong> A former member of the Islamic State-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (right) hands over his rifle to Lt. Col. Rogelio Gabi, commander of the Army’s 40th Infantry Battalion, during a surrender ceremony on Friday (Jan. 24, 2020). The surrenderer, identified only as a certain Malik for security reasons, pledged never to return to the extremist group.<em> (Photo courtesy of 40IB)</em></p>

REBEL NO MORE. A former member of the Islamic State-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (right) hands over his rifle to Lt. Col. Rogelio Gabi, commander of the Army’s 40th Infantry Battalion, during a surrender ceremony on Friday (Jan. 24, 2020). The surrenderer, identified only as a certain Malik for security reasons, pledged never to return to the extremist group. (Photo courtesy of 40IB)

COTABATO CITY – Saying he was tired of fighting for a lost cause, an armed member of the Islamic State-linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) surrendered to the Army’s 40th Infantry Battalion (40IB) in President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat on Friday.

Lt. Col. Rogelio Gabi, 40IB commander, identified the surrenderer only as Malik, who yielded with his M16 rifle and magazine of ammunition. The surrender was witnessed by Gen. SK Pendatun municipal administrator Saira Mae S. Makakena, as well as police and military officials.

“We are glad you made the right decision. Enjoy your life with your family now,” Gabi told the former BIFF member, whose identity was withheld for security reasons.

Malik’s group operates in the marshland of Gen. SK Pendatun, Maguindanao, he said.

Gabi said the former extremist expressed his sincerity by reciting and signing the pledge of commitment not to return to the terrorist group.

“Malik vowed to be a good citizen of the country and a good father to his family,” he said, adding the 40IB will continue its focused military operations against the BIFF. (PNA)

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