CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao --- Optimistic that the new regional government
will help them improve their lives, 16 members of the Islamic State-linked
Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) surrendered to military authorities
in Maguindanao last January 25.
Twelve
of the surrenderers gave up to officials of the Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion,
led by Lt. Col. Elmer Boongaling, in Sultan sa Barongis town, while the four
other BIFF members yielded to Lt. Col. Rogelio Gabi, Army’s 40th IB commander,
in Gen. S. K. Pendatun town, also in Maguindanao.
They
were presented to 6th Infantry Division assistant commander Brig. Gen. Juvy Max
Uy at this camp in the presence of civilian officials, including Bangsamoro
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) spokesperson and Interior Minister
Naguib Sinarimbo.
BIFF
field commander Wazre Kompas told military officials that his group is tired of
fighting and running away from air and ground attacks of government forces.
“Now we
have the BARMM and we hope it will
improve our lives,” Kompas said in the vernacular.
After
their presentation to the Army officials in Maguindanao, the former rebels
received financial aid from the BARMM through Sinarimbo.
“To
date, more than 110 BIFF (members) in Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat have
surrendered to military authorities and are now working on their livelihood,”
Uy said.
He
added that the military will “always open its door” for those who wish to
surrender, but will also continue hunting down lawless elements who sow fear in
communities of the province. (EDWIN FERNANDEZ, PNA - COTABATO, MINDANAO
EXPOSE')
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