COTABATO CITY – Saying they are disgruntled and tired, three members of Islamic State-linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) surrendered to military authorities in North Cotabato, the Army here said Tuesday.
The BIFF combatants under the Kagui Karialan faction yielded to the Army in Barangay Paidu Pulangi, Pikit, North Cotabato on Monday morning and were subsequently brought to the 602nd Infantry Brigade (IB) headquarters in Carmen, North Cotabato.
Maj. Gen. Diosdado Carreon, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander, identified the returnees as Gaga Abdul, 25, a BIFF platoon leader; Jeremy Abdul, 18; and a 17-year-old minor, all of Sitio Tatak, Barangay Dalgan, Pagalungan, Maguindanao.
“We are tired of running away from military forces and were duped by empty promises of our (rebel) leaders,” the elder Abdul told reporters in an interview during the surrender rites.
The trio turned over a homemade Barret sniper rifle, a homemade KG9 rifle, and a homemade Uzi sub-machinegun.
"The increasing number of BIFF coming out to surrender is a manifestation that they choose to live peaceful lives and join the mainstream community," Carreon said.
He also lauded the 90th IB led by Lt. Col. Michael Maquilan for their continuous effort to convince the BIFF group to surrender and contribute to the campaign against terrorism and violent extremism in Central Mindanao. (PNA)
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