COTABATO CITY – The Philippine military said Tuesday that
12 members of the pro-ISIS group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters have
surrendered in the restive province of Maguindanao where troops are battling Muslim
militants.
The militants surrendered Monday to the 33rd
Infantry Battalion in Sultan sa Barongis town and army officials said the group
also handed different automatic weapons, including sniper rifles, grenade
launchers and improvised explosives.
The 6th Infantry Division identified those
who surrendered as Wazire Talib Kumpas, Carlo Talib Maon, Alamansa Makungay
Talib, Pair Andongan Makapagal, Tomy Maslayboto Mato, Mama Daud Jainudin, Jomar
Masla Boy, Muhamad Saylila, Urasay Badi, Ben Saptula, Usman Gandang and Agar
Mangatug.
Battalion commander Lt. Col. Elmer Boongaling, presented the
BIFF members to Col. Jose Narciso, commander of the 601st Infantry Brigade. He
said the militants were attracted by the government’s offer of amnesty and
livelihood assistance and wanted to live peacefully with their families.
“They saw the sincerity of the (army) unit in dealing
with the former rebels citing the unit’s effort in its previous area of
operations with the hopes to return to the mainstream of the community with the
necessary assistance and livelihood from the government,” Boongaling said.
Army Division commander Maj. Gen. Diosdado Carreon
praised the surrender of the militants and urged other fighters to take
advantage of the government’s peace offer and return to the fold of the law.
“We are very thankful to the support and cooperation
of the civil government in our journey of bringing long and lasting peace in
Central Mindanao,” he said.
The BIFF is one of the most notorious militant groups
fighting for the establishment of a caliphate in the troubled region. (Mindanao
Examiner)
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