RIGHT CHOICE. Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg (2nd from left), director of the Police Regional Office 12 (Soccsksargen), and a police officer inspect a .45-caliber pistol while two of the 17 Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) extremists who yielded look on during surrender rites in Gen. Santos City on Tuesday (Dec. 19, 2023). The rebels decided to abandon the armed struggle to live normal lives with their loved ones with the help of the government. (Photo courtesy of PRO-12)
KORONADAL CITY – Seventeen members of the local terrorist group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) have chosen the path to peace by laying down their guns Tuesday afternoon to live normal lives.
"We warmly welcome the surrenderers who have recognized the futility of their previous cause. They have seen through the empty promises, falsehoods, and deceit propagated by their former leaders during recruitment,” Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg, director of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 12 (Soccsksargen), said in a statement Wednesday.
The group turned in two anti-tank rocket-propelled grenade launchers, a .50-caliber Barrett sniper’s rifle, two .45-caliber pistols, a Glock 9mm pistol, and ammunition.
Col. Abubakar Mangelen, head of the police’s Regional Intelligence Division 12, has initiated and facilitated the surrender of the BIFF extremists via backdoor peace negotiation.
He presented the surrenderers during a simple ceremony held at the PRO-12 multi-purpose hall in Barangay Tambler, Gen. Santos City.
Mangelen said the surrenderers were being processed to avail of the government peace initiatives under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program. (PNA)
