ZAMBOANGA CITY — An alleged notorious field commander of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and five of his companions yielded to state troops in Maguindanao on Saturday.
According to Joint Task Force Central commander Maj. Gen. Roy Galido, the BIFF members surrendered to the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion and identified the field commander BIFF-Bungos Faction as King Fahad.
The other five BIFF members, on the other hand, remained unidentified.
The group also turned over six high-powered firearms including one 5.56mm M653 rifle and two cal. 30 Garand rifles, one cal. 50 Sniper rifles, and two 7.62mm M14 rifles
Meantime, Philippine Army's 601st Brigade commander Colonel Oriel Pangcog welcomed the surrender of 23 other BIFF fighters operating in this province during a ceremony held at the brigade headquarters in Barangay Kamasi of Ampatuan town.
Immediate cash assistance was awarded to the former extremists, Pangcog said.
"Their documents will also be processed for enrollment in the reintegration program of the government," Pangcog said.
Over at Midsayap, North Cotabato, six BIFF members also surrendered to the military and were presented Sunday to town Mayor Rolly Sacdalan.
"You made the right decision, your government is ready to help you live normal lives," Sacdalan told the surrenderers who belonged to the BIFF-Kagui Karialan faction.
One of the surrenderers said he joined the group due to lack of sources of income and livelihood.
The BIFF batch turned in three M-14 assault rifles, two Garand rifles, a Carbine rifle, and a homemade .30-caliber sniper rifle.
