Google map of Maguindanao del Norte.
SULTAN KUDARAT, Maguindanao del Norte – Twenty-nine members of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) have voluntarily surrendered with their firearms to authorities here, an Army official said Wednesday.
Brig. Gen. Leodevic Guinid, the Army’s 1st Brigade Combat Team commander, said the surrenderers turned over assorted high-powered rifles, homemade explosive devices, mortar rounds and ammunition on Tuesday afternoon at the brigade headquarters in Barangay Pigcalagan here.
“I commend the decision of the surrenderers to lay down their arms and denounce the terrorist organization,” Guinid said in a statement.
The surrenderers belong to the BIFF-Kagui Karialan faction operating in the provinces of Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte and North Cotabato.
During the surrender rite attended by police, military, and local officials, Guinid urged the former militants to “tell your companions still out there to come forward, surrender and the government will help all of you become productive citizens.”
Datu Anwar Emblawa, Shariff Aguak's municipal executive secretary, handed over financial assistance to the former extremists who were from their town in Maguindanao del Sur.
Some 50 BIFF have surrendered to military forces in the area of operation of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division that included the provinces of Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, and parts of Sarangani, North Cotabato, and Lanao del Sur. (PNA)
