SSB hosts presentation of 12 BIFF surrenderees

PEACE-FORMERS --- The military presents the 12 BIFF surrenderees with their firearms and explosives during ceremonial rites hosted by Sultan Sa Barongis municipal government last January 13. Leading the LGU is Mayor Al-Fizzar M. Angas, Sr., shown center.  (PHOTO BY DPAO, 6TH ID, MINDANAO EXPOSE')

SULTAN SA BARONGIS (SSB), Maguindanao --- The presentation of 12 surrenderees affiliated with the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) highlighted the first Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) meeting of this local government unit for year 2020 held last January 13 at the Ramdatu M. Angas Building within the municipal government compound.

        Mayor Al-Fizzar Allandatu M. Angas, Sr. said their local government unit is elated for hosting the ceremonial presentation of the BIFF surrenderees, stressing that they are one in advocating peace advocacy and supporting the government’s over-all peace program and paradigm to ensure social and economic stability in localities.

He said two of the surrenderees are residents of Sultan Sa Barongis while the rests come from the nearby municipalities.

The former rebels, who also turned over their firearms, ammunitions, and improvised explosive devices, surrendered to the security forces of the 33rd Infantry Battalion under Lt. Col. Elmer M. Boongaling, who then presented them to 601st Infantry Brigade commander Col. Jose H. Narciso and town Mayor Angas,  Sr.

“As a municipal chief executive of this town, I am happy and honored for the trust and confidence entrusted to us by these surrenderees,” Mayor Angas, Sr. said on the presentation of the surrenderees.

He said his administration will submit a proposal to the provincial government for the mainstay of livelihood program for rebel surrenderees or returness and other groups seeking reformation, citing agricultural productivity as one pre-occupation.

        Through representation, Maj. Gen. Diosdado C. Carreon, commander of the 6th Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Central, is thankful to the support and cooperation of the civil government “in our journey of bringing long and lasting peace in Central Mindanao.”

        The young mayor is thankful to the men in uniform and other civil conduits for their joint efforts in convincing and bringing back lawless groups to the folds of law and embracing the mainstream of society. “This is an accomplishment of both  our Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police.”

MPOC meeting

        In the MPOC meeting, Police Lt. Ikon Mantawil, Sultan sa Barongis police chief,  presented a situationer report of a decreasing crime rate with the trending of “generally peaceful” as over-all assessment.

        In a coordinative approach in law enforcement, Mantawil said they continue to be watchful against terrorism and extremism.

On illegal drug trafficking, he said the menace has been put to check with most of drug surrenderees having their own source of living with the help of the local government.

He added that other surrenderees have transferred to other places, but still being monitored so they be utmostly cleared from vices and criminalities. 

Of the 12 barangays composing the locality,  five are subject to validation by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Authority for “drug-clear” category, said  Liga ng mga Barangay president Allandatu M. Angas .

The MPOC meeting was attended by representatives of member departments: AFP and PNP, Municipal Health Office, Municipal and Social Development Office, Municipal Local Government Operation Office, Ministry of Agriculture, Municipal Planning and Development Office, Municipal and Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Council, and those from the barangay governments. (Anne B. Acosta)