Camp Siongco, Maguindanao – A new batch of six combatants of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) have withdrawn their membership to BIFF, an extremist group under Karialan faction, and surrendered to 90th Infantry (BIGKIS LAHI) Battalion and Pagalungan Municipal Station in Pagalungan, Maguindanao at 3:00 PM, December 29, 2020.
These former extremists were presented to BGen. Roberto Capulong, Commander of 602Bde and to Hon. Salik Mamasabulod, Municipal Mayor of Pagalungan in a simple ceremony at Municipal Hall, Brgy. Poblacion, Pagalungan town.
The surrenderers brought with them their surrendered firearms comprised of two M14 Rifles, one Garand Rifle, one 5.56 mm Carbine, one locally made Cal 50 Barret Sniper Rifle and one RPG with ammo.
“Nagpapasalamat po kami sa tropa ng pamahalaan dahil hindi nila kami tinuring na mga kalaban, sa halip ay tinulungan pa kami na magbagong buhay”, one of the former extremists said.
They said that an earlier batch of comrades who yielded to the military have convinced them to try the government’s program for surrendering rebels.
“Pagod at hirap na ang aming kalagayan sa bundok, wala na kaming makain at wala ding suporta sa amin. Dagdag pa dito ang patuloy na pagtugis ng mga sundalo sa amin”, they said.
The multiple influx of BIFF surrenders are the product of the “AGILA-HAVEN” program or the “Malasakit ng AGILA” of Maguindanao Governor Bai Mariam Sangki Mangudadatu. All these BIFF surrenderees will be enrolled to this program as their psychosocial intervention before they go back to the mainstream society.
Major General Juvymax R. Uy, Commander of 6th Infantry (KAMPILAN) Division said “We welcomed these former BIFF members as they go to the mainstream society; our concerted efforts with the Provincial Local Government of Maguindanao will pave way for the attainment of the lasting genuine peace in this part of Mindanao”.
(Source: 6th Infantry Division – Kampilan Facebook Page)